Department of Justice Press Releases

  • Published On: September 26, 2022

    HELENA - The Montana Highway Patrol commissioned 10 new troopers today at a graduation ceremony held at the Civic Center in Helena.  Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Colonel Steve Lavin addressed the cadets prior to having their badges pinned and taking the oath of office. [...]

  • Published On: August 22, 2022

    TETON COUNTY – The Montana Department of Justice recognized the Teton County Search and Rescue Unit and Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department Thursday for their support to law enforcement during the homicide investigation into Erin Holcomb. Holcomb was found guilty earlier [...]

  • Published On: May 16, 2022

    HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced Charlie Heitzman, of Lewistown, the winner of the inaugural Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest. Heitzman is a third-grade student at Highland Park Elementary School. The winning poster shows Charlie with his uncle, [...]

  • Published On: May 13, 2022

    HELENA – Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Amanda Villa received an Honorable Mention award from the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) at their 29th annual TOP COPS Awards in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, May 12. Held in conjunction with National [...]

  • Published On: April 5, 2022

    HELENA – Fifty-seven new officers who will serve in 40 agencies across the state graduated today from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), which is part of the Montana Department of Justice. MLEA provides basic and advanced training for state, county, [...]

  • Published On: March 18, 2022

    HELENA – Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today the launch of the inaugural Montana Law Enforcement Appreciation Poster Contest for elementary school students across Montana. The contest – a partnership between the Attorney General’s Office, Montana Highway Patrol, and the [...]

  • Published On: March 15, 2022

    HELENA – Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen announced today the appointment of Dirk Johnson as state fire marshal and Dr. Walter Kemp as Montana’s chief medical examiner. Both roles are vital to the Department of Justice’s mission to uphold public [...]

  • Published On: December 30, 2021

    Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen today announced the final round of grant awards that will help local law enforcement agencies obtain and train new canine units to crack down on illegal drugs being trafficked into Montana. Following the 18 initial [...]

  • Published On: December 15, 2021

    HELENA – Sixty-one new officers who will serve in 41 agencies across the state graduated yesterday from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA), which is part of the Montana Department of Justice. MLEA provides basic and advanced training for state, county, [...]

  • Published On: November 18, 2021

    In response to Missoula District Court Judge Shane Vannatta sentenced Jonathan Bertsch to four consecutive terms of life in prison without the possibility of parole, Montana Highway Patrol Colonel Steve Lavin issued the following statement: “The men and women of [...]

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News Information:
Montana Department of Justice news releases are available online, with links to other documents, such as formal opinions and court decisions, when appropriate.

For more information, or to schedule interviews with Attorney General Austin Knudsen or DOJ staff members, reporters should contact one of the department’s communications officers at (406) 444-1776.

Available information may be limited by the Montana Criminal Justice Information Act of 1979 or by the status of an ongoing criminal investigation.

Direct media inquiries to:
Emilee Cantrell or
Chase Scheuer or
by phone: 406-444-1776.