History

The history of the Whitefish Municipal Court involves its formal establishment in 2009, transitioning from the previous city court to a municipal court defined under Montana state law. Whitefish Municipal Court is responsible for handling local legal matters, including cases related to traffic tickets and other offenses under state law and city ordinances, operating with a judge and a court staff to manage cases and records. 

Whitefish's Municipal Court has a gallery of photographs on display, donated by the family of former judge, Judge Hileman, in his memory. The Court is presided over by a municipal judge, with Judge Overland appointed to the position in late 2021.

You can find more information on past judges and positions below.

Judge HilemanJudge William Hileman Jr.

Years of Service: 2017 - 2021

While earning his Law Degree, Judge Hileman interned as a prosecutor with the Missoula County Attorney’s Office. He then entered private practice in Whitefish with an emphasis on litigation, including civil matters and criminal defense. He served Whitefish Municipal Court from December 2017 until October 2021.



Judge Bradley JohnsonJudge Bradley Johnson

Years of Service: 1985 - 2017

Judge Johnson sat on the city council prior to becoming judge, and served 10 years on the Whitefish Library Association. He has an undergraduate degree in business from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and a law degree from the University of Tulsa. He did post-graduate studies in tax law at Southern Methodist University and is a graduate of the first class of the Montana Judicial Institute.

Historical List of Former Judges

Years of ServiceJudge  
2017-2021William Hileman Jr.Municipal Court JudgeElected
1986-2017Bradley JohnsonCity - Municipal Court JudgeElected
1985Steve SevenerPolice JudgeAppointed
1977-1985Richard MadduxPolice JudgeElected
1974-1977James NewmanPolice JudgeAppointed
1973Ian (Sandy) SandisonPolice JudgeAppointed
1959-1973Arthur PhillipsPolice JudgeElected
1958Arthur PhillipsPolice JudgeAppointed
1953-1958Dave ManaryPolice JudgeElected
1951-1953Robert HunterPolice JudgeAppointed
1930-1951Thomas StaceyPolice MagistrateElected
1926-1930Ross Van WagenenPolice MagistrateElected
1924-1926Roy ArnoldPolice MagistrateElected
1923Roy ArnoldPolice MagistrateAppointed
1922-1923C.C. BaldwinPolice MagistrateAppointed
1920-1922M.W. DowdPolice MagistrateElected
1914-1920E.L. GeggesPolice MagistrateElected
1912H.H. GarrPolice MagistrateElected
1909H.H. GarrPolice MagistrateAppointed
1908-1909M.J. SullivanTown Treasurer - Police MagistrateAppointed
1906-1908Joseph ReedTown Treasurer - Police MagistrateAppointed