Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 27. CIVIL LIABILITY, REMEDIES, AND LIMITATIONS

CHAPTER 1. AVAILABILITY OF REMEDIES -- LIABILITY

Part 7. Liability

Civil Damages Immunity For Injury Caused By Legal Use Of Force

27-1-722. Civil damages immunity for injury caused by legal use of force. (1) A use of force allowable under the provisions of Title 45, chapter 3, part 1, provides immunity to the person using the force from civil damages for injury to any person or property arising from injury to the person, or damage to the property of the person, against whom the force was used.

(2) Conviction of a crime committed by the person who was injured or whose property was damaged by the use of force is not a prerequisite to a defense under subsection (1), but it is evidence that the act or omission to which the use of force was a response occurred.

(3) The reasonableness of the use of force must be determined in light of the circumstances at the time that the force was used.

(4) The prevailing party in an action in which a defense is asserted under this section is entitled to costs and reasonable attorney fees.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 445, L. 2001.