Montana Code 46-15-331. Compelling testimony or production of evidence — immunity
46-15-331. Compelling testimony or production of evidence — immunity. (1) Before or during trial in any judicial proceeding, a judge of the district or municipal court, upon request by the prosecutor or defense counsel, may require a person to answer any question or produce any evidence, even though personally incriminating, following a grant of immunity.
Terms Used In Montana Code 46-15-331
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Court: means a place where justice is judicially administered and includes the judge of the court. See Montana Code 46-1-202
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Judge: means a person who is vested by law with the power to perform judicial functions. 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
- Prosecutor: means an elected or appointed attorney who is vested by law with the power to initiate and carry out criminal proceedings on behalf of the state or a political subdivision. See Montana Code 46-1-202
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Witness: means a person whose testimony is desired in a proceeding or investigation by a grand jury or in a criminal action, prosecution, or proceeding. See Montana Code 46-1-202
(2)If a person is required to give testimony or produce evidence in accordance with this section in any investigation or proceeding, compelled testimony or evidence and any information directly or indirectly derived from such testimony or evidence may not be used against the witness in any criminal prosecution.
(3)Nothing in this section prohibits a prosecutor from granting immunity from prosecution for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which a witness is compelled to testify if in the prosecutor’s sole discretion it is determined that the ends of justice would be served.
(4)Immunity may not extend to prosecution or punishment for false statements given in any testimony required under this section.