If you want any witnesses to testify at your hearing, you may need to
subpoena them before the hearing. A subpoena orders a person to
come to court even if the person does not want to. Once you know
the hearing date, you can ask the Clerk of Court for subpoena forms.
6 Go to Your Hearing
Bring your stamped copy of your Answer and any other documents
you filed with the court with you to your hearing. You will also need
to bring the Judgment if the clerk would not let you lodge it when you
filed your Answer.
Arrive at the courthouse at least 15 minutes before your
hearing time. Dress like you were going to an important
job interview.
Check with the Clerk of Court’s office to find the right courtroom for
your hearing. In some courts, you will have to check in with the Clerk
of Court before going to your courtroom. After you have talked to the
Clerk of Court, go to your courtroom and wait for the judge to say
your name and case number. Remember to call the judge “Your
Honor.”
□ If the clerk would not let you lodge the Judgment when you filed
your Complaint, you may need to give it to the judge. At the
Answering Your Landlord’s Complaint to Evict You, Page 9 of 21, including instructions and forms.
© 2023 Montana Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission and Montana Legal Services
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beginning of the hearing, when the judge asks if you are ready, tell
the judge “Your Honor, I have a proposed judgment form for your
consideration.” Then ask if the judge wants you to hand the
Judgment form to the judge. The judge may or may not take the
Judgment form from you. It is okay if the judge does not want the
Judgment form.