Montana Criminal Justice Oversight Council
Montana CJOC
Summary
The Montana Criminal Justice Oversight Council (MCA §5-5-235, formerly §53-1-216, redesignated by Ch. 173, L. 2025) is an 18-member interbranch advisory body that studies and recommends improvements to Montana's criminal justice system. Membership spans all three branches and includes legislators, judges, the Attorney General, Director of Corrections, a county sheriff, county attorney, tribal representative, victims advocate, and civil rights advocate. The council has no authority to discipline officers, conduct independent investigations, or compel evidence production. It reports to the legislature and governor and may request legislation. Legislative Services Division provides staff support.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | Not specified |
| Removal standard | At will (weak protection) |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Case-by-case |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | Legislative review |
Statute
- Name
- Montana Code Annotated Title 5, Chapter 5, Part 2
- Citation
- MCA §5-5-235 (formerly §53-1-216)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
State criminal justice system including corrections and law enforcement