State v. Ronningen

The State of Montana appeals from an order of the Yellowstone County District Court dismissing a misdemeanor charge filed against the defendant, Ronald Lee Ronningen, because of the State’s failure to bring the matter to trial within the statutorily mandated six-month period for all misdemeanors. The trial court ruled that the sole question under the statute is whether the State demonstrated “good cause” for the delay, and that the State did not do so. We affirm.

The State argues first that the trial court erred because it did not consider, in addition to the “good cause” requirement of the…