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1. What is the phone number or website to the County Attorney's Office?

The phone number is (406) 256-2870.
The website is as follows:  Yellowstone County Attorney

2. How do I obtain an Order of Protection?

Order of Protection applications are available at the clerk's office for Billings Municipal Court (2nd floor City Hall) and Yellowstone County Justice Court (6th floor Yellowstone County Courthouse). Return completed applications to the clerk's office for review by a judge. There is no charge for an Order of Protection.

City Order-of-Protection 

Yellowstone County Protection Order 

3. A family member used my name at a traffic stop and now I have a warrant. What do I do?

If the ticket was recent, we will ask that you contact the Billings Police Officer who issued the ticket. Often times the officer will remember what the offender looked like and can verify that you were not the individual he/she issued the citation to. After a thorough review of the police reports, court records and a visit with the police officer, the City Attorney's Office will determine whether or not to dismiss the charge against you.

4. I am the victim of a crime. How do I get information about the case?

Misdemeanors offenses that are committed inside the City limits are prosecuted by the Billings City Attorney’s Office, which are handled in Billings Municipal Court. These cases are investigated by the Billings Police Department. The website is as follows: Victim-Services-Information . The Billings City Attorney’s Office phone number is (406) 657-8205. All misdemeanors that are committed outside of the City limits but still in Yellowstone County, such as Lockwood, Shepherd, Huntley/Worden, Custer, and even some locations inside of the city limits, such as the Metra or certain parks, are handled in Justice Court and are prosecuted by the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office. These cases are investigated by various law enforcement agencies such as the Montana Highway Patrol, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, Fish & Game, and Motor Carrier Services. The County Attorney’s Office also handles any and all felony crimes committed in all of Yellowstone County. The phone number for the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office is (406) 256-2870. The website is as follows: Yellowstone County Attorney  The Laurel City Attorney’s Office prosecutes misdemeanor criminal offenses that occur within the city limits of Laurel. These cases are handled in Laurel City Court. The phone number for the Laurel City Attorney’s Office is (406) 259-8611.  Laurel, MT - City Attorney 

5. Where are you located and where do I park?

We are located on the first floor of City Hall at 210 North 27th Street in Billings. You may park in Park 3, a parking garage located on the corner of 2nd Avenue North and North 27th Street. The entrance to Park 3 is located on 2nd Avenue North. There is also metered parking available in downtown Billings. Garage-Locations-Rates 

City-Attorney

6. How do I report a crime and what will happen afterwards?

If it is an emergency, call 911 immediately.

If you want to report a crime that has already occurred and you live within the city limits, please contact the Billings Police Department at (406) 657-8200. A peace officer will respond and start an investigating by asking you a series of questions. Once the investigation is complete, the officer may or may not arrest the individual. If no arrest is made, the report may be submitted to the City Attorney’s Office to be reviewed by a prosecutor who will decide what charge(s), if any, should be prosecuted. It is at the prosecutor’s discretion whether or not each case is charged.

7. I am a victim in a criminal case. Is the City Attorney’s Office my attorney?

The City Attorney’s Office represents the City of Billings in criminal cases and not individual persons. Victims are consulted throughout a case and assisted through court procedures related to criminal prosecution. Their input is sought after and given utmost consideration; however, victims are not personally represented by the City Attorney’s Office. Our office cannot give legal advice. You have the right to obtain private counsel if you feel it is necessary.

8. Is it my decision whether I want “charges pressed”?

Every attempt is made to thoroughly consult with and consider the wishes of a victim or witness in a criminal case, but they do not “press” charges against an individual. Just as law enforcement has an obligation to investigate a crime, a prosecutor has an ethical obligation to uphold the criminal law. Ultimately, all decisions whether to prosecute a case or not and deciding how the cause can best be resolved will be decided by the prosecutor.

9. How do I find out if an offender is in jail?

The number for the Yellowstone County Detention Facility is (406) 256-6881.

The website is:  Yellowstone County Detention Center, Inmate Search