Terms Used In Montana Code > Title 46 > Chapter 6 > Part 3 - Warrantless Arrest and Notice to Appear

• Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
• Arrest: means taking a person into custody in the manner authorized by law. See Montana Code 46-1-202
• Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
• Court: means a place where justice is judicially administered and includes the judge of the court. See Montana Code 46-1-202
• Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
• Judge: means a person who is vested by law with the power to perform judicial functions. See Montana Code 46-1-202
• Notice to appear: means a written direction that is issued by a peace officer and that requests a person to appear before a court at a stated time and place to answer a charge for the alleged commission of an offense. See Montana Code 46-1-202
• Offense: means a violation of any penal statute of this state or any ordinance of its political subdivisions. See Montana Code 46-1-202
• Peace officer: means any person who by virtue of the person's office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order and make arrests for offenses while acting within the scope of the person's authority. See Montana Code 46-1-202
• Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
• Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
• Writing: includes printing. See Montana Code 1-1-203