Community Justice Department

Crime Victim Advocates

This division supports victims of all types of crimes, prioritizing those who have experienced intimate partner violence and abuse. Civil Advocates provide walk-in crisis counseling, assistance in applying for orders of protection, referrals to services, and support through the court system.

Criminal Advocates are assigned to city and county law enforcement and prosecution offices to offer advocacy and supportive services from the time of an initial crime report to the resolution of a criminal case. Services are free and confidential. Click here to learn more.

Court Support Services

This division supports pretrial defendants by providing reminders about court dates, assisting with compliance with pretrial conditions of release, helping to access community programs and services, connecting with community service and work placement, and addressing non-compliance issues. The division’s Community Service Program connects people convicted of crimes with community service placements and monitoring. The Public Safety Assessment Program assesses each defendant’s current and prior criminal conduct, focusing on violent offenses and previous failure to appear in court to provide judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys additional information about whether a defendant can succeed in the community while awaiting trial. Click here to learn more.

Justice Initiatives

This division works to improve the criminal legal system in Missoula County by building partnerships and leading efforts to address systemic problems that can cause harm to victims and defendants and create challenges for our community. The division provides leadership and coordination to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Just Response, Diversion and Reentry programs, Partners for Reintegration, the Family Violence Intervention & Education Session (FVIES) and related committees. The division also provides targeted study and analysis program development, funding development and management, project implementation, and specialized training to support multi-agency initiatives to increase community safety, improve healing for survivors of crime, safely reduce the jail population, increase court appearances for those accused, and address racial inequities in the criminal legal system. Click here to learn more.