40-3-116. Privacy of hearings. - Montana Statutes

     40-3-116. Privacy of hearings. (1) All district court hearings or conferences in proceedings under this chapter must be held in private, and the court shall exclude all persons except the officers of the court, the parties, their counsel, and witnesses. Conferences may be held with each party and that party's counsel separately. In the discretion of the judge or counselor conducting the conference or hearing, all counsel may be excluded. All communications, verbal or written, from parties to the judge or counselor in a proceeding under this chapter are considered made to the officer in official confidence.
     (2) The files of the conciliation court must be closed. The petition, supporting affidavit, reconciliation agreement, and any court order made in the matter may be opened to inspection by any party or the party's counsel upon the written authority of the judge of the conciliation court.

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 238, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 16, Ch. 100, L. 1973; R.C.M. 1947, 36-203(7); amd. Sec. 1574, Ch. 56, L. 2009.