Under § 46-23-502(13), MCA, violent offenses in Montana include:
• Deliberate or mitigated deliberate homicide
• Aggravated assault
• Partner or family member assault (3rd offense is a felony)
• Assault on a peace officer or minor
• Assault with a weapon
• Strangulation
• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• Arson
• Operating an unlawful clandestine laboratory
Most violent offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences and require violent offender registration. These convictions carry lifelong consequences. However, Montana has strong self-defense laws that require the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you did not act justifiably. Self-defense should be formally raised whenever applicable, and we thoroughly investigate the alleged victim’s background, including any history of violence, which can be critical in building your defense.
