City Of Bozeman

Need to appear for court?

SCHEDULE an Open Court Appearance. Due to limited spots, if you do not have an appointment, you may be turned away and have to return on a different date.  

Make sure that you schedule an appearance on or before the date listed on your citation or the agreement to appear after posting bond (whichever is sooner). If you fail to appear before that date, a warrant may issue, your bond may be forfeited, and/or your driver's license may be suspended. 

See more information about open court and appearances below. 

Court Hours & Location

The Bozeman Municipal Court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays. 

The Court and Clerk's Office are closed every day from 12:00 - 12:45 PM. 

The Bozeman Municipal Court is located on the second floor of the Bozeman Public Safety Center: 901 N. Rouse Avenue, Bozeman, MT. 

All persons are required to pass through security in order to attend court or to conduct any business with the clerk's office. Do not bring weapons of any kind.

Open Court

Persons who are required to or choose to appear before a judge may do so during Open Court sessions. These are held Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. You must check into court before 8:30 AM. If you are not checked in before 8:30 AM, even if you have a scheduled appearance, you will not be permitted to appear.

You may schedule an appearance by scheduling online with Schedapple. If you do not have an appearance scheduled, you may be placed on the waitlist. 

Information about Court Appearances

The Bozeman Municipal Court handles misdemeanor citations charged by the Bozeman Police Department and MSU Police Department. Bozeman Municipal Code Ordinances are also addressed by this court. 

If you have received a citation from the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, Montana Highway Patrol, or Fish, Wildlife & Parks, you must contact the Gallatin County Justice Court. If you have received a citation from the Belgrade Police Department, you must contact the Belgrade Municipal Court.

Any charge that involves the possibility of jail, or an argument for jail alternatives, will require a personal appearance by the defendant. If the defendant is a minor, they must appear with a parent or legal guardian. 

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, contested hearings, trials, and Order of Protection hearings will require personal appearance of the parties and their attorneys, if any.

Citations Not Requiring An Appearance

Many citations can be addressed without seeing a judge. You may address your citation with a court clerk in person or may pay your citation online at CitePayUSA (please note that online payment has a 5.95% processing fee). 

If you require a time pay agreement, you will need to appear before a judge. 

PLEASE NOTE Any court matter that is resolved through a payment without seeing a judge is considered a plea of guilty. This includes traffic tickets that do not require an appearance. These convictions may result in driver's license points associated with that offense. 

It is every person's right to appear in front of a judge to discuss their ticket and the penalties associated with it, if they choose to do so.