Montana Attorney General Faces Misconduct Hearing

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is facing a hearing regarding professional misconduct charges stemming from his office's statements about the Montana Supreme Court during a 2021 legislative dispute. The Commission on Practice is considering 41 counts of misconduct, which could lead to disciplinary action against his law license. Knudsen's remarks, deemed disrespectful by opponents, included describing court actions as 'ludicrous' and 'perverse'. He has defended his comments as zealous representation of the state Legislature, asserting that he believed the court order in question was invalid. The hearing, which commenced on October 9, 2024, follows a series of controversies during his tenure, including support for controversial legislation and accusations of overreach against the judiciary. Knudsen's spokesperson claims that the allegations are politically motivated and should have been dismissed earlier.