Mont. Code Ann. § 45-5-220

(2001)

Stalking -- exemption -- penalty

(1) A person commits the offense of stalking if the person purposely or knowingly causes another person substantial emotional distress or reasonable apprehension of bodily injury or death by repeatedly:

(a) following the stalked person; or

(b) harassing, threatening, or intimidating the stalked person, in person or by phone, by mail, or by other action, device, or method.

(2) This section does not apply to a constitutionally protected activity.

(3) For the first offense, a person convicted of stalking shall be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 1 year or fined an amount not to exceed $1,000, or both. For a second or subsequent offense or for a first offense against a victim who was under the protection of a restraining order directed at the offender, the offender shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 5 years or fined an amount not to exceed $10,000, or both. A person convicted of stalking may be sentenced to pay all medical, counseling, and other costs incurred by or on behalf of the victim as a result of the offense.

(4) Upon presentation of credible evidence of violation of this section, an order may be granted, as set forth in Title 40, chapter 15, restraining a person from engaging in the activity described in subsection (1).

(5) For the purpose of determining the number of convictions under this section, "conviction" means:

(a) a conviction, as defined in 45-2-101, in this state;

(b) a conviction for a violation of a statute similar to this section in another state; or

(c) a forfeiture of bail or collateral deposited to secure the defendant's appearance in court in this state or another state for a violation of a statute similar to this section, which forfeiture has not been vacated.

(6) Attempts by the accused person to contact or follow the stalked person after the accused person has been given actual notice that the stalked person does not want to be contacted or followed constitutes prima facie evidence that the accused person purposely or knowingly followed, harassed, threatened, or intimidated the stalked person.

Opinions construing this section

38 opinions
2025 MT 266N Nov 18, 2025 Affirmed
Zimmermann v. Wardle
Majority by Jim Rice · 5 to 0
actual notice from Ms. Zimmermann to cease contact with her,” and therefore Wardle’s conduct “constitutes the criminal offense of stalking as defined by § 45-5-220, MCA.” Zimmermann “is therefore entitled to an order of protection against Mr. Wardle under Title 40, Chapter 15 of the Montana Code Annotated.” The District
2025 MT 235N Oct 14, 2025 Affirmed
Wooldridge v. Spreadbury
Majority by James Jeremiah Shea · 5 to 0
endment did not protect Spreadbury’s emails. The District Court found that Wooldridge had “absolutely . . . proven” that Spreadbury had stalked her under § 45-5-220, MCA, making her eligible for an order of protection. Because Spreadbury caused Wooldridge a reasonable apprehension of harm, the District Court determined that it
2025 MT 89 Apr 29, 2025 Affirmed
State v. L. Ernst
Majority by Cory J. Swanson · 5 to 0
rds A.J. and J.J.: Count I, Sexual Intercourse Without Consent (SIWOC), a felony in violation of § 45-5-503, MCA; Count II, Stalking, a felony in violation of § 45-5-220(1)(b), MCA; and Count III, Privacy in Communications, a felony2 in violation of § 45-8-213(1)(a), MCA. ¶8 After Ernst was arrested, the Billings Gazette posted an arti
2024 MT 317N Dec 23, 2024 Affirmed
Zeiler v. State
Majority by Mike McGrath · 5 to 0
iction Relief (Order). We affirm. ¶3 On April 4, 2019, the State charged Zeiler with Kidnapping, in violation of § 45-5-302, MCA; Stalking, in violation of § 45-5-220, MCA; three counts of Violation of Order of Protection, in violation of § 45-5-626, MCA; and three counts of Privacy in Communications, in violation of § 45-8-213
2024 MT 287N Dec 3, 2024 Affirmed
Vanisko v. Richardson
Majority by Beth Baker · 5 to 0
), MCA, regardless of a petitioner’s relationship to the respondent, a person may seek an order of protection if they are a victim of stalking as defined in § 45-5-220, MCA. “A person commits the offense of stalking if the person purposely or knowingly engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person and knows or sho
Official Annotations archive.org, 2001 edition
History:
En. Sec. 1, Ch. 292, L. 1993
Amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 350, L. 1995