Montana Department of Justice
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The Fatality Review Commission, authorized by MCA 2-15-2017, seeks to reduce homicides caused by family violence. The Commission meets twice yearly to review closed domestic homicide cases.

The review seeks to:

  • identify gaps in Montana’s system for protecting domestic violence victims
  • better coordinate multi-agency efforts to protect those most at risk of domestic homicide

After consulting with the Attorney General, the Commission determines which cases it will review. The Office of Victim Services coordinates the Commission’s work.

The Attorney General appoints Commission members from representatives of involved federal, state and private agencies, the medical and mental health community, law enforcement and the courts, Native Americans, the legislature and the MT Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Commission Members:

Name Position Organization City
Beki Brandborg Team Facilitator Mediator Helena
Dan Murphy
 Detective Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Butte
Caroline Fleming Executive Director Custer Network Against Domestic Assault Miles City
Diana Garrett Attorney Montana Legal Services Missoula
Jenny Eck Legislator House of Representatives Helena
Connie Harvey Therapist Self-Employed Lewistown
Maurita Johnson Administrator Child & Family Services Division Helena
Dan Doyle Professor University of Montana Missoula
Joan  McCracken
 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Retired Billings
Chuck Munson Assistant Attorney General MT Department of Justice Helena
John Buttram Licensed Professional Counselor Batterers’ Treatment Program Kalispell
Lee Johnson
 Supervisor Division of Criminal Investigation Bozeman
Matthew Dale Team Coordinator Office of Victim Services Helena
Martha Rhoades Psychiatrist Billings Clinic Billings
Glen Stinar Administrator MT Law Enforcement Academy Helena
Dennis Loveless
 Judge City of East Helena East Helena
John C. Brown District Judge State of Montana Bozeman
Suzy Boylan Prosecutor Missoula County Missoula
Warren Hiebert Chaplain Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department Bozeman

 

Native American Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team Members:

Name Position Organization City
Beki Brandborg Team Facilitator Mediator Helena
Brandon Walter Special Agent FBI Billings
Charles Robison State Director/Legal Counsel U.S. Senator Steve Daines Helena
Eric Barnosky Regional Administrator HHS/CFSD Miles City
Georgette Baggio Attorney Private practice Hardin
Harlan Trombley Native American Liaison Department of Corrections Great Falls
Jared Cobell Asst. U.S. Attorney Office of the U.S. Attorney Helena
Joan Eliel SAKI Coordinator Department of Justice Helena
Kelly McDonald Tribal Prosecutor CSK Tribal Court Pablo
L. Jace Kilsback President Northern Cheyenne Tribe Lame Deer
Lacey Alexander-Small IMPACT Coordinator Big Horn Valley Health Center Hardin
Matthew Dale Team Coordinator Department of Justice Helena
Melissa Schlichting Assistant Attorney General Department of Justice Helena
Mistee Rides at the Door Tribal Liaison MT Legal Services Assoc. Browning
Richard Jackson Magistrate Fort Berthold District Court New Town, ND
Roni Rae Brady Chief Judge Northern Cheyenne Tribal Court Lame Deer
Stephanie Iron Shooter Caring Schools Coordinator Office of Public Instruction Billings
Wendy Bremner Victim Specialist Bureau of Indian Affairs Browning
Lenora Nioce Asst. SA in Charge Bureau of Indian Affairs Billings
Winona Tanner Chief Judge CSK Tribal Court Pablo
Rose Saddler Child Advocate Chippewa Cree Tribe Box Elder

Biennial Report – While the Commission’s meetings and records are confidential, state law requires it to publish a report detailing its findings and recommendations.

The National Domestic Violence Fatality Review Initiative, housed at the Northern Arizona University, acts as a clearinghouse and resource center dedicated to domestic violence fatality review.

The Alliance of Local Service Organizations (ALSO), based in Chicago, profiled the work of the commission in a 20-minute movie. The film explores and explains the process the commission follows when it conducts a review. The film is available here on the group’s website.

Contact

For further information about the Fatality Review Commission, contact:

Matthew Dale, Executive Director
Office of Victim Services
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 201410
Helena, MT 59620-1410
Phone: (406) 444-1907
Fax: (406) 442-2174
E-mail: madale@mt.gov
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    Attorney General's Office & Legal Services Division

    The Attorney General’s Office, headed by Attorney General Tim Fox, and the Legal Services Division function as the lawyers for the State of Montana. The attorneys in the Office have expertise in a wide range of legal topics and handle a broad range of legal cases involving the State of Montana and its people.

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    Children’s Justice Bureau

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    Forensic Science Division & State Crime Lab

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    Missing Persons Clearinghouse

    The Missing Children Act of 1985 established a Montana Missing Persons Clearinghouse within the Department of Justice. In March 2008, the department implemented a searchable online database that, for the first time, is updated in real time and includes any photos provided by law enforcement.

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    Office of Victim Services

    The goal of the Office of Victim Services is to provide tools and information to help crime victims recover from their experience and provide them with a range of services available. The criminal justice system can be confusing and intimidating for victims. To assist them as they go through the justice system, the Office of Victim Service is available to answer any questions they may have.

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    Central Services Division

    The Montana Department of Justice’s Central Services Division provides financial and human resources support for the department. We make sure that everything works for the people Working for Justice. If you’re interested in a rewarding career helping protect the rights and safety of all Montanans, we invite you to join our team of over 800 dedicated employees working across the state.

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    Justice Information Technology Services Division

    Our Justice Information Technology Services Division (JITSD) provides vital Information Technology (IT) infrastructure upon which Montanans and local and state law enforcement agencies rely for timely, accurate information. JITSD manages the IT systems, services, and interfaces to support nearly 800 DOJ employees, 325 statewide county motor vehicle system users, and over 3,000 Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN) users across the state.

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    Division of Criminal Investigation

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    Montana Highway Patrol

    Montana is rich in natural beauty and history. From Glacier Park in the west to Makoshika Park in the east, the men and women of the Montana Highway Patrol are working hard to make your travels safe and enjoyable. The Highway Patrol’s core values are “Service, Integrity and Respect.” These values are reflected in our commitment to public safety through diligent and fair enforcement of our traffic codes.

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    Montana Law Enforcement Academy

    The Montana Law Enforcement Academy is the premier law enforcement and public safety educational and training institution for state, county, city and tribal officers throughout the state. The Academy offers entry-level programs referred to as Basic Programs and advanced training through an array of Professional Development Programs.

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    Public Safety Officer Standards & Training

    The Council was formed in 2007 under 2-15-2029, MCA as an independent Quasi-judicial board. And as allowed by statute the Council adopted Administrative Rules in order to implement the provisions of Title 44, chapter 4, part 4, MCA. Per 44-4-403, MCA the Council is required to set employment and training standards for all Public Safety Officers as defined in 44-4-401, MCA and in addition the Council shall provide for the certification or recertification of public safety officers and for the suspension or revocation of certification of public safety officers.

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    Motor Vehicle Division

    The mission of the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is to identify and promote efficient, cost-effective programs that benefit the interests, safety, and well-being of Montana citizens through licensing, registering, and regulating the motoring activities of the public. The MVD continuously strives for excellence in customer service. Streamlining the way we do business has allowed us to improve our efficiency and make our services more convenient for our customers.

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    Natural Resource Damage Program

    The Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) was created in 1990 to prepare the state’s lawsuit against the Atlantic Richfield Co. (ARCO) for injuries to the natural resources in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin (UCFRB). Decades of mining and mineral processing operations in and around Butte and Anaconda released substantial quantities of hazardous substances into the Upper Clark Fork River Basin between Butte and Milltown. These hazardous substances extensively degraded the area’s natural resources.

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    Office of Consumer Protection

    Enforce consumer laws designed to protect the consumer from unfair or deceptive business practices. Enforce statutes relating to telephone solicitation and telemarketing. Provide information to consumers about the Consumer Protection Act. Assist consumers by distributing consumer education materials including scam and consumer alerts. Investigate false, misleading, or deceptive trade practices.

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    Gambling Control Division

    Through the Gambling Control Division, the Department of Justice regulates all forms of gambling in Montana, except for the Montana Lottery and horse racing. The legislature has charged the division with maintaining a uniform regulatory climate that is fair and free of corrupt influences. The division is also responsible for collecting gambling revenue for state and local governments.

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    Human Trafficking

    The Montana Department of Justice has a continued commitment to victims of human trafficking. In partnership with federal authorities, our agency plays a key role in the investigation, enforcement, and prosecution of crimes related to human trafficking in Montana. This form of modern day slavery does happen here in Big Sky Country.

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    Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Program

    Montana’s deadliest drugs aren’t made in secret labs and they don’t always come from dealers on the corner. They’re in our own medicine cabinets. Each year, prescription drug abuse contributes to the deaths of more than 300 Montanans — making prescription drug abuse 15 times more deadly than meth, heroin and cocaine combined. Our kids report the third-highest rate of prescription drug abuse in the country and more than half of them say prescription drugs are easier to get than street drugs.

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    Safe in Your Space

    When it comes to embracing new technology, kids have rapidly outpaced their parents and teachers. By their early school years, many children are already more comfortable on the Internet than their parents. But just because children are smart enough to know how to navigate the Internet, doesn’t mean they have the experience to make good decisions about some of the possibilities they may face online.

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    Montana Sexual or Violent Offender Registry

    Created by the Montana Department of Justice in 1989, the Sexual or Violent Offender Registry is a valuable resource for Montanans to protect their families against sexual or violent offenders.

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    Montana 24/7 Sobriety Program

    Drinking and driving has been a chronic – and deadly — problem on Montana’s roadways for decades. In 2008, Montana was ranked as the deadliest state in the nation when it came to per capita DUI-related traffic fatalities.

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    Work for Justice

    Everyday at The Montana Department of Justice, our employees are dedicated to ensuring the well-being and rights of the people of our great state. We’re passionate about what we do because it’s more than a job or a career. It’s about who we are as people. If this sounds like you, your unique experiences, knowledge, and values may be just what the Montana Department of Justice is looking for and needs. In return we can offer a culture that promotes fairness and growth opportunities.

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