Defendant Resources - FAQ

When is the court clerk’s office open?

The court clerk’s office is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM.

What time will the judge see me on my ticket?

You can come on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM.

Can I just pay my ticket and not come to court?

Sometimes you can pay money and not appear. The money you pay is called a bond. The court will forfeit your bond to pay the fines and fees. A bond forfeiture is a conviction. You have 90 days from the date of forfeiture to appear and contest your charges.

If you don’t know the bond amount or if you have to come to court or call the Court.

Who do I make a check out to when making a payment?

Make your check out to Red Lodge City Court.

Where do I mail my payment?

If you don’t know your payment amount, call the court.

What information do I need to put on my check?

Write the name of the person whose account you are making a payment on the memo line. It is helpful to include the ticket or case number.

How can I make a payment to the court?

• In Person

You may pay by cash, check or money order with the City Clerk.

To pay by debit/credit card, you will need to visit the Court Clerk. If you pay by debit/credit card, you will be charged a convenience fee.

• By mail

You may mail a check or money order for your payment to the court. Do NOT mail cash.

• Drop Box

For After Hours Payments Put your check or money order in an envelope, seal it, and write Red Lodge City Court on the outside. The drop box is located at City Hall’s West Door on 11th Street.

• Online

You may make an online payment for certain types of payments. You will be charged a convenience fee to use this service. You will need your date of birth, and your ticket or case number. If you do not know the ticket or case number, please call the court.

How do I find out why my driver’s license is suspended?

If you have a Montana driver’s license, call the Motor Vehicles Division - Record and Driver Control at (406) 444-3933. MVD can assist you and provide some detail of the reasons your license maybe suspended and when you are eligible for reinstatement. If a court suspended your license because of a failure to appear or comply, you must contact the individual court to find out what you need to do to get your license back.

When must the court give me a lawyer for my criminal or traffic case?

If you qualify, the judge must appoint you an attorney in any case where jail is a possible penalty.

How do I ask the judge for a lawyer on my criminal or traffic case?

Most people ask for an attorney the first time they see the judge.

• You must complete the public defender application.
• Be sure to sign, date, and return it to the address on the form.
• If jail is a possible penalty, the judge will appoint you an attorney.
• Once have been appointed an attorney, the Office of Public Defender must qualify you for their services.

The judge appointed me an attorney, what do I need to do for the public defender to qualify me?

Your lawyer is:

Office of the State Public Defender - Region 9
207 N. Broadway
Billings, MT 59101

(406) 256.6861

You must immediately call the public defender.

• Ask to talk to the person who handles the applications.
• Ask “Do you have my application?”
• Ask “Do you need anything else from me?”
• In 10 days, you must give the public defender: A completed application.

The other information they may need:

• Be ready to give proof of your income, like paycheck stubs, bank statements, and tax returns. Or you can bring a letter from your employer, social security, or the welfare office.
• Be ready to give proof of your expenses, like rent, insurance, utility bills, payments due to other courts, or medical bills.
• Be ready to talk about other expenses, like gas for your car, food, child-care costs, or child-support.

The public defender will review your application.

• If you qualify, they will continue as your lawyer.
• If you don’t qualify, they will stop being your lawyer.
• They will tell you their decision.

The public defender says I don’t qualify, can I ask the judge to decide?

Yes. You must complete a Motion to Review Public Defender Denial form and ask for a hearing. File your papers with the court.

The judge will schedule a hearing.

At your hearing, you can tell the judge why you can’t pay for a lawyer.