Montana

Montana Law School Grad Found Not Guilty of Attempted Rape But Convicted on Other Charges in High-Profile Case

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Missoula, MT — In a late Friday deliberation, a Missoula jury issued a mixed verdict in the trial of Cole Larson Levine, a 25-year-old former University of Montana law student. Levine was acquitted of attempted sexual intercourse without consent but was convicted on four other charges including aggravated assault. The accusations stemmed from an incident reported in downtown Missoula in August 2022. Along with the assault charges, Levine was found guilty of destruction or tampering with a communication device and unlawful restraint, a lesser charge related to allegations of attempted kidnapping. Additionally, Levine faced consequences … Read more

Montana Doctor Faces Class Action Lawsuit and Criminal Charges in Patient Sexual Assault Allegations

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Missouila, MT — Dr. Tyler James Hurst, formerly associated with Missoula County’s Community Medical Center, stands accused of sexually assaulting multiple patients during his tenure in the emergency room. Allegations, including inappropriate touching and rape, span a period from 2017 to 2023, prompting both legal repercussion and public outcry. The severity of the claims has led to Dr. Hurst’s dismissal and decertification at the medical facility. Following these accusations, the Missoula County Attorney’s Office took action, levying numerous charges against Hurst, including sexual assault and felony sexual intercourse without consent—offenses that could lead to a … Read more

U.S. Justice Department Claims Oregon Climate Lawsuit Distinct from Montana Case, Despite Similar Youth-Led Legal Efforts

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WASHINGTON — In a significant legal battle spanning nearly a decade, a group of young Oregon plaintiffs has encountered a setback in their fight against the U.S. government over climate change. Officials from the Usc Justice Department have recently stated that a notable legal victory in Montana will not influence the Oregon youth climate lawsuit, which contends that federal inaction on climate change violates their constitutional rights to life, liberty, and property. The case, known as Juliana v. United the USA, was initiated in 2015 when the plaintiffs, then aged between 8 and 18, sued … Read more

Montana Court Strikes Down Unconstitutional Abortion Laws, Ensuring Access to Reproductive Rights

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HELENA, Montana – Three Montana laws that imposed restrictions on abortion rights have been ruled unconstitutional by District Court Judge Kurt Krueger. The laws, passed in 2021, included a ban on abortions after 20 weeks, a prohibition on doctors prescribing medication abortions through telehealth services, a 24-hour waiting period for medication abortions, and a requirement for doctors to offer an ultrasound before an abortion. In his ruling, Judge Krueger stated that these regulations imposed significant burdens on abortion access without sufficient rationale or credible evidence. The laws had already been blocked by a preliminary injunction … Read more