Municipal Court

Whitefish Municipal Court is a court of record and maintains a regulated court docket. The Municipal Court executes the criminal misdemeanor and ordinance violations of the Whitefish City Code and State law and traffic offenses committed within the City limits.

The Court follows the same federal holiday schedule as City Hall. 

Please check the City's calendar for more information on closures.


Whitefish Municipal Court is open to the public under the guidelines of social distancing with personal appearances required by both defendants and attorneys. The City of Whitefish recommends the use of a face covering to enter the building.

Local Court Rules on Appearances & Continuances

  • A scheduled or noticed court appearance will not be routinely postponed. 
    • This includes a Notice to Appear issued for a traffic or criminal complaint.
  • All appearances are to be made in person by the named defendant who may have a licensed Montana attorney present to assist him/her. 
  • If the defendant or defendant’s attorney wants an alternative appearance date, then a motion must be made in writing seven (7) days in advance of the scheduled appearance day. 
    • The motion must state a fact specific reason for the continuance, and also contain an alternative day and time for the defendant to personally appear. 
    • Motions to continue will not be granted as a matter of course. An order must be signed by the presiding judge to be effective.

Not Contesting

In the alternative, if you do not contest your citation and it does not require an appearance, you may appear at the court’s administrative office during regular business hours or call to post/forfeit a monetary fine to conclude the matter.

No Proof of Insurance Charges

If you were cited for no proof of insurance due to failing to have your policy/card at hand, please contact your insurance agency to provide a letter confirming coverage on the vehicle and driver on the exact date and time of the citation. This must be received before your scheduled court date and may be emailed at court@cityofwhitefish.org.

Honorable Judge Caitlin Overland

Judge OverlandJudge Overland was born and raised in Montana. She received a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and later graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School, cum laude. Immediately following law school, Judge Overland returned to Montana and clerked for the Montana Supreme Court. Judge Overland then moved to the Flathead Valley to begin serving as a Deputy Flathead County Attorney. During her time with the County Attorney’s Office, Judge Overland worked on a wide range of legal matters including criminal prosecutions, youth court, civil litigation and land use law. She also maintains a private legal practice focusing on soil and water conservation. The Whitefish City Council appointed her to serve as Municipal Court Judge in December 2021.