Montana Code Annotated

Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-109 (2026)

Civil Disorder -- Prohibited Activities -- Penalties -- Exceptions

✓ current as of May 2026
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TITLE 45. CRIMES

CHAPTER 8. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER

Part 1. Conduct Disruptive of Public Order

Civil Disorder -- Prohibited Activities -- Penalties -- Exceptions

45-8-109. Civil disorder -- prohibited activities -- penalties -- exceptions. (1) A person is guilty of a crime if, with one or more other persons, the person purposely or knowingly assembles for the purpose of training in, instructing in the use of, or practicing with any technique or means capable of causing property damage, bodily injury, or death, with the purpose of employing the training, instruction, or practice in a civil disorder.

(2) A person convicted of violating the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a period not to exceed 10 years or be fined not to exceed $50,000, or both.

(3) Subsection (1) does not prohibit:

(a) an act protected pursuant to Article II of the Montana constitution;

(b) an act of a governmental military force;

(c) an act of a peace officer performed in the lawful performance of the officer's duties;

(d) an authorized activity of the department of fish, wildlife, and parks; the department of corrections; a law enforcement agency; or the law enforcement academy;

(e) training in nonviolent civil disobedience techniques;

(f) lawful self-defense or defense of others or an activity intended to teach or practice self-defense or self-defense techniques; or

(g) a facility, program, or lawful activity related to firearms instruction or training intended to teach the safe handling and use of firearms or activities or sports related to recreational use or possession of firearms.

(4) Sections 45-8-107 through 45-8-109 do not apply to an employer or employees involved in a labor dispute.

History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 492, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 262, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 201, Ch. 546, L. 1995.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 1 case, 2016–2016 · leading case: Montana Cannabis Indus. Ass'n v. State, 2016 MT 44 (Mont. 2016).
Montana Cannabis Indus. Ass'n v. State, 2016 MT 44 (Mont. 2016). · cites it 4× “Further, by its terms, § 45-8-109(3), MCA, provides a variety of exceptions to a charge of civil disorder, including actions of a peace officer committed during performance of their duties; training in nonviolent civil disobedience techniques; lawful self-defense or defense of…”
Mont. Code Ann. § 45-8-109(3): 1 case
Montana Cannabis Indus. Ass'n v. State, 2016 MT 44 (Mont. 2016). “Further, by its terms, § 45-8-109(3), MCA, provides a variety of exceptions to a charge of civil disorder, including actions of a peace officer committed during performance of their duties; training in nonviolent civil disobedience techniques; lawful self-defense or defense of…”
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