Montana Code Annotated 2021

TITLE 46. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 18. SENTENCE AND JUDGMENT

Part 2. Form of Sentence

Dismissal After Deferred Imposition

46-18-204. Dismissal after deferred imposition. (1) Whenever the court has deferred the imposition of sentence and after termination of the time period during which imposition of sentence has been deferred or upon termination of the time remaining on a deferred sentence under 46-18-208:

(a) for a felony conviction, the court shall strike the plea of guilty or nolo contendere or the verdict of guilty from the record and order that the charge or charges against the defendant be dismissed provided that a petition for revocation under 46-18-203 has not been filed; or

(b) for a misdemeanor conviction, upon motion of the court, the defendant, or the defendant's attorney, the court may allow the defendant to withdraw a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or may strike the verdict of guilty from the record and order that the charge or charges against the defendant be dismissed.

(2) A copy of the order of dismissal must be sent to the prosecutor and the department of justice, accompanied by a form prepared by the department of justice and containing identifying information about the defendant. After the charge is dismissed, all records and data relating to the charge are confidential criminal justice information, as defined in 44-5-103, and public access to the information may be obtained only by district court order upon good cause shown.

History: En. 95-2207 by Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1967; R.C.M. 1947, 95-2207; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 147, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 463, L. 1989; amd. Sec. 20, Ch. 395, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 515, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 273, L. 2015; amd. Sec. 25, Ch. 321, L. 2017.