Evidence in Montana Domestic Violence Cases

How to gather and safely store documentation for DV-related court cases in Montana.

Understanding and Organizing Evidence

Types of Helpful Evidence

Evidence can support your case when seeking protection or legal considerations. Common types include:

• Photographs or videos showing injuries or damage
• Written communications such as texts, emails, or social media messages
• Medical or police reports
• Witness statements
• Receipts or records of threats or harassment

Organizing and Safely Backing Up Evidence

Keeping evidence organized can help when sharing it with professionals. Consider:

• Creating digital folders labelled by date or type
• Using secure cloud storage or encrypted devices to back up files
• Keeping physical copies in a safe and private place

Using Evidence in Legal Processes

Evidence may be used in different types of legal situations:

• Protection orders to show patterns or incidents prompting the request
• Criminal cases to assist law enforcement or prosecutors
• Custody or family court to inform decisions about care and safety

Important Note on Recording Laws

Recording conversations or actions may be subject to state or local laws. Some areas require consent from all parties involved. It is important to understand these rules before recording.