Wilkinson v. State

The Department of Institutions of the State of Montana appeals from an order by the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District, Missoula County, declaring the Department financially responsible for costs incurred as a result of the birth of defendant’s baby.

On September 10, 1982, defendant entered a guilty plea to the charge of negligent homicide. The District Court sentenced defendant to ten years with two years suspended, to be served at a women’s correctional facility chosen by the Department of Institutions.

Because defendant was soon to give birth and because testimony at the…