3-1-609. Judicial conflict of interest -- recusal -- definition. (1) A judicial officer shall disqualify the judicial officer in a proceeding if:
(a) the judicial officer has received one or more combined contributions totaling at least one-half of the maximum amount allowable amount under 13-37-216 from a lawyer or party to the proceeding in an election within the previous 6 years; or
(b) a lawyer or party to the proceeding has made one or more contributions directly or indirectly to a political committee or other entity that engaged in independent expenditures that supported the judicial officer or opposed the judicial officer's opponent in an election within the previous 6 years if the total combined amount of the contributions exceed at least one-half of the maximum amount that would otherwise be allowed under 13-37-216 if the contributions had been made directly to the judicial candidate.
(2) For the purposes of this section:
(a) "contribution" has the meaning provided in 13-1-101; and
(b) "judicial officer" has the meaning provided in 1-1-202.
History: En. Sec. 22, Ch. 494, L. 2021.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 1. Courts and Judicial Officers Generally
Part 6. Restrictions on Judicial Officers
3-1-601. Certain officers not to practice law or administer estates
3-1-602. Restrictions on justices of the peace practicing law or taking claims for collection
3-1-603. Judicial officer of court of record not to have partner practicing law
3-1-604. Restrictions on municipal court judges
3-1-605. Restrictions on judicial officers after term has expired
3-1-606. Justice of the peace or constable not to purchase judgment
3-1-609. Judicial conflict of interest -- recusal -- definition