2024 Montana General Election

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John received a bachelor's degree from the University of Montana and his law degree from The University of Montana School of Law.

John is an Attorney at Paoli Kutzman, P.C. He was an Assistant Attorney General at the State of Montana Department of Justice and has prior experience as a staff attorney, partner, and law clerk.

John Kutzman

John Kutzman is a District Court Judge of the 8th Judicial District Court in Montana. He was appointed in 2015.

Law Clerk to the Hon. Terry N. Trieweiler of the Montana Supreme Court.

Lists skills in litigation, commercial litigation, and appellate practice.

- Law Clerk to the Hon. Terry N. Trieweiler of the Montana Supreme Court.
- Lists skills in litigation, commercial litigation, and appellate practice.

Legal Experience

Said, "The judge's work begins and ends with fairness to the parties, the public, and the system within the constraints imposed by the controlling law."

- Said, "The judge's work begins and ends with fairness to the parties, the public, and the system within the constraints imposed by the controlling law."

Ethics & Conduct

Believes in "balancing the judge's own time constraints against the parties' legitimate need for time and scope to present their cases."

- Believes in "balancing the judge's own time constraints against the parties' legitimate need for time and scope to present their cases."
- Wants to "keep the docket moving."

Judicial Administration

Said, "The most important qualities for a good district court judge are fairness, patience, curiosity, and diligence."

Said, "The judge's responsibility to the system and the general public requires intellectual curiosity...Obviously the judge cannot take over for the lawyers, but neither can the judge be a mere passive bystander if the parties are advocating for incorrect legal reasoning."

- Said, "The most important qualities for a good district court judge are fairness, patience, curiosity, and diligence."
- Said, "The judge's responsibility to the system and the general public requires intellectual curiosity...Obviously the judge cannot take over for the lawyers, but neither can the judge be a mere passive bystander if the parties are advocating for incorrect legal reasoning."

Judicial Philosophy

Martindale

Member of Great Falls Symphony trumpet section.

- Member of Great Falls Symphony trumpet section.

Community Involvement

- Montana District Courts are central to the state’s judicial system, handling most major legal proceedings and providing a pathway for appeals from lower courts.
- Montana District Court Judges handle a wide variety of cases, including all serious criminal charges and smaller felonies. These courts also take on major civil disputes and state financial claims.
- In civil matters, these judges deal with wills and estates (probate), disputes over contracts and property ownership, and other non-criminal legal issues.
- These judges also have the authority to review decisions made by smaller local courts within their jurisdiction, as allowed by state law and the Constitution.
Judges in the District Courts are elected by the public in their districts, emphasizing the importance of community representation.

Judges that handle most felony and civil cases in the state

Montana District Court Judge, District 8

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