Court Opinion

ID: 9391881
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-05-03 15:07:47.866954+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:18:28.605524
License: Public Domain

05/03/2023

            IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA
                                                                                        Case Number: OP 23-0233

                                        OP 23-0233
                                                                       , FLED
 NICHOLAS LANE JONES,                                                        MAY 0 2 2023
                                                                          Bowen Greenwood
                                                                        Clerk of Supreme Cour
             Petitioner,                                                   State of Montana

       v.
                                                                     ORDER
 STATE OF MONTANA, and
 THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
 COURT, Yellowstone County,

             Respondent.

       Nicholas Lane Jones has filed a verified petition for a writ of certiorari. We amend
the caption to include the Yellowstone County District Court. Sections 27-25-204 and
27-25-205, MCA.
       Jones refers to a criminal case in his writ for extraordinary relief and states that he
wants "to prove [his] innocence of assault with a weapon and 1 count of violation of a
protective order." Jones points to various discrepancies and inconsistencies in his criminal
proceeding as well as the civil case concerning the temporary order of protection. He states
that he was not near his ex-wife's address at the time of the offense. Jones raises claims of
ineffective assistance of counsel. Jones asks this Court to review the "evidence" and "right
this wrong." Jones includes attachments.
       On August 5, 2022, the District Court held a change of plea hearing for Jones who
appeared with counsel. Jones entered no contest pleas to felony assault with a weapon and
misdemeanor violation of an order of protection. Jones also pled guilty to a second
misdemeanor violation of an order of protection. On September 7, 2022, the court held a
sentencing hearing in which it dismissed the fourth misdemeanor offense of violating an
order of protection. The court committed Jones to the Montana State Prison for the felony
to a twenty-year term with ten years suspended. Jones also received two, consecutive
six-month terms with all but thirty days suspended for the remaining misdemeanors. This
final judgment was filed on October 11, 2022.
       This Court declines to exercise jurisdiction over this original proceeding. An
original proceeding, such as a writ of certiorari or review, must "be commenced and
conducted in the manner prescribed by the applicable sections of the Montana Code
Annotated . . . ." M. R. App. P. 14(2). Even though he provides a notarized application,
pursuant to 27-25-201, MCA, Jones's writ does not conform with Montana statutes. "A
writ of review may be granted by [] the supreme court . . . when a lower tribunal . . . has
exceeded the jurisdiction of the tribunal . . . and there is no appeal or . . . any plain, speedy,
and adequate remedy." Section 27-25-102(2), MCA. Jones has not demonstrated that the
District Court exceeded its jurisdiction. Moreover, Jones had a remedy of appeal for his
issues which would have provided the Court with the entire record and briefing for review.
Jones chose not to seek a timely appeal last year. Section 46-20-104(1), MCA.
       Jones has another remedy. He may file a petition for postconviction relief in the
sentencing court. See §§ 46-21-101, through 46-21-203, MCA. Jones may raise the
ineffectiveness assistance of counsel claims there and later seek an appeal with this Court.
Section 46-21-203, MCA. Accordingly,
       IT IS ORDERED that Jones's Petition for Writ of Review is DENIED and
DISMISSED.
       The Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Order to: the Honorable Michael
Moses, District Court Judge, along with a copy of the Petition; Terry Halpin, Clerk of
District Court, under Cause Nos. DC 21-1590 and DR 21-897; Scott Twito, Yellowstone
County Attorney, along with a copy of the Petition; counsel of record, and Nicholas Lane
Jones personally.
                          0,54
       DATED this Z. day of May, 2023.

                                                                   Chief Justice
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