A district court judge Monday said he will grant a motion delaying sections in a new law plaintiffs argue could wreak havoc in the judicial system.Â
Judge Mike Menahan said he would issue the order to that effect in the coming days after hearing arguments in Lewis and Clark County District Court. The provisions of the new law had been set to take effect Thursday.
The progressive political mobilization group Forward Montana, along with Lewis and Clark County Attorney Leo Gallagher, the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Great Falls trial lawyer Gary Zadick are challenging the new laws implemented by Senate Bill 319. The lawsuit, which names the state of Montana and Gov. Greg Gianforte as defendants, alleges the bill was so dramatically amended with new policy changes that it violated the Montana Constitution.