Montana Code 27-1-722. Civil damages immunity for injury caused by legal use of force
27-1-722. Civil damages immunity for injury caused by legal use of force. (1) A use of force allowable under the provisions of Title 45, chapter 3, part 1, provides immunity to the person using the force from civil damages for injury to any person or property arising from injury to the person, or damage to the property of the person, against whom the force was used.
Terms Used In Montana Code 27-1-722
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
- Property: means real and personal property. See Montana Code 1-1-205
(2)Conviction of a crime committed by the person who was injured or whose property was damaged by the use of force is not a prerequisite to a defense under subsection (1), but it is evidence that the act or omission to which the use of force was a response occurred.
(3)The reasonableness of the use of force must be determined in light of the circumstances at the time that the force was used.
(4)The prevailing party in an action in which a defense is asserted under this section is entitled to costs and reasonable attorney fees.