Lawyer vies for Justice Court

Kalispell attorney Lane Bennett seeks full-time judgeship

Kalispell attorney Lane Bennett on Wednesday announced his candidacy for the justice of the peace job held by departing judge Dale Trigg.

The county commissioners last week expanded the position from part-time to full-time.

Bennett, 49, has a private practice and also is a public defender in Flathead County, working in municipal, justice and district courts.

From 1981 to 1986, he was a deputy county attorney. He has taught part-time at Flathead Valley Community College.

He said the justice of the peace position is a crucial piece of the justice system.

The judge must work well "with not only law enforcement and the County Attorney's Office, but also with mental-health providers, alcohol counselors, domestic-violence counseling providers… I believe I have the qualifications and qualities that are necessary to work within that system efficiently and effectively."

He is a graduate of Flathead High School and the University of Montana law school. He and his wife, Marie, have four children.

Trigg announced Wednesday that he will not run for re-election when his term expires at the end of the year.

He was appointed to the job a year ago, when the part-time judge position was created at Justice Court.

After working for more than a year, Trigg said he was grateful to have served the community, but wants to put his energy into expanding his private practice.

"I hope that whomever is elected as justice of the peace will endeavor to reach just results on criminal cases and ensure that civil litigants obtain the 'just, speedy, and inexpensive determination' of their cases that the Justice Court is supposed to provide," he said.

The newly expanded position's salary begins at $65,000.