Criminal Defense Attorneys in Missoula, MT
Missoula DUI, drug, and assault charges run through Missoula County courts, where early defense matters. A Montana-licensed criminal defense attorney serving Missoula will review your case for free.
- Free to use — fees quoted upfront, before you commit
- Matched with a Montana attorney in 24 hours
- 30,000+ plaintiffs served nationwide
Free Missoula criminal defense case review
A Montana attorney will take a look. Or call 1-833-WELEGAL.
By submitting, you agree that DearLegal and the attorneys or law firms we connect you with may contact you by phone and email about your inquiry, including by automated technology.
DearLegal is not a law firm and will not provide legal advice. DearLegal connects users to licensed attorneys.
How we match your Missoula criminal defense case
When you submit a Missoula criminal defense matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.
Case type
A criminal defense matter needs someone who handles criminal defense work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.
Size and complexity
Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.
Jurisdiction and licensing
Your matter is decided under Montana law, so it goes to an attorney licensed in Montana who regularly appears where your case would be heard.
Capacity and fit
Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.
Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.
DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.
Criminal Defense cases in Missoula
More about legal help in Missoula →Missoula's mix of a large student population, a busy downtown and Hip Strip bar scene, and heavy interstate traffic on I-90 drives a steady docket of DUI, minor-in-possession, drug, assault, and theft cases. Felonies and serious matters go to Missoula County District Court in Montana's Fourth Judicial District, while misdemeanors are handled in Missoula Municipal Court or the county justice court, and cases involving federal land or interstate conduct can move to federal court. Early decisions about statements, testing, and licensing hearings shape everything after. DearLegal matches you with a Montana-licensed attorney who handles criminal defense cases in Missoula, with a free review.
- Felony charges are prosecuted in Missoula County District Court, while misdemeanors typically proceed in Missoula Municipal Court or Missoula County Justice Court.
- DUI and alcohol-related citations are common given the downtown bar district, university events, and interstate traffic through town.
- Some conduct on federal land, including national forest areas around Missoula, or crossing state lines can be charged federally instead of in state court.
Montana criminal defense rules at a glance
Missoula cases run under Montana law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Montana page.
Read the full Montana criminal defense guide →- Felony Statute of Limitations
No limit
No limit for deliberate homicide; 10 years for sexual intercourse without consent and certain sex offenses involving children; 5 years for most other felonies (MCA § 45-1-205)
- Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations
1 year
1 year for most misdemeanors (MCA § 45-1-205(2))
- Sentencing Structure
3 years
Statute-specific maximums rather than uniform classes; Persistent Felony Offender enhancements (MCA § 46-18-501); deferred imposition of sentence (§ 46-18-201) up to 3 years; mandatory minimums for certain firearm and sex offenses
- Expungement / Record Sealing
5 years
MCA § 46-18-1101 et seq. — misdemeanor expungement after 5 years (expanded in 2017); completing a deferred imposition means dismissal and expungement; felony expungement remains narrow
- Bail / Pretrial Release
Governed by MCA § 46-9-101
Governed by MCA § 46-9-101 et seq.; constitutional right to bail with exceptions (Mont. Const. Art. II, § 21); pretrial risk assessment encouraged
- Typical attorney fee
Hourly
Hourly / Flat Fee
Exhibit D
How much do Missoula criminal defense attorneys cost?
Typical fee schedule
Montana · Criminal Defense
Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.
Criminal Defense matters in Montana are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.
You won't find contingency arrangements in Montana criminal cases — they're barred by Mont. R. Prof. Conduct 1.5(d) and ABA Model Rule 1.5(d). Instead, expect a flat fee for misdemeanors and most felonies, with hourly billing reserved for complex matters. Defendants who can't afford counsel are represented statewide by the Montana Office of State Public Defender.
A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.
Exhibit F
Missoula criminal defense questions, answered
Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Montana attorney will review it for free.
Criminal Defense attorneys by city in Montana
Same Montana rules and the same attorneys — with what’s local to each city.
