On Wednesday, July 10th, the Montana Supreme Court will hold oral argument in landmark youth-led constitutional climate case, Held v. State of Montana.
What: The Montana Supreme Court will host a 90-minute oral argument in Held v. State of Montana. Attorneys for the youth plaintiffs will argue to uphold their historic win where Judge Kathy Seeley ruled wholly in plaintiffs’ favor declaring that the state of Montana had violated the youths’ constitutional rights, including their right to a clean and healthful environment.
When: Wednesday, July 10, 2024, from 9:30am – 11:00am MDT
Where: Montana Supreme Court Courtroom, 215 N. Sanders, Helena, Montana. You can also watch via livestream here: http://stream.vision.net/MT-JUD/
To pre-schedule interviews with plaintiffs or their attorneys please contact Helen Britto at gro.t1732039153surts1732039153nerdl1732039153ihcru1732039153o@nel1732039153eh1732039153
Contacts:
Barbara Chillcott, WELC Senior Attorney, 406-430-3023, gro.w1732039153alnre1732039153tsew@1732039153ttocl1732039153lihc1732039153
Helen Britto, Our Children’s Trust Communications Manager, 925.588.1171, gro.t1732039153surts1732039153nerdl1732039153ihcru1732039153o@nel1732039153eh1732039153
About Held v. State of Montana
On August 14, in an historic first, Judge Seeley ruled wholly in favor of the 16 youth plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana, declaring that the state of Montana violated the youth’s constitutional rights, including their rights to equal protection, dignity, liberty, health and safety, and public trust, which are all predicated on their right to a clean and healthful environment. The court invalidated as unconstitutional and enjoined Montana laws that promoted fossil fuels and required turning a blind eye to climate change. The court ruled the youth plaintiffs had proven their standing to bring the case by showing significant injuries, the government’s substantial role in causing them, and that a judgment in their favor would change the government’s conduct.
On September 29, 2023, the State filed its appeal to the Montana Supreme Court, followed by a request to stay the ruling on October 16, 2023, which Judge Seeley denied. In December 2023, the State filed another motion to stay with the Montana Supreme Court, which was also denied. Oral argument will now be held on July 10th, 2024.
The 16 youth plaintiffs in this case are represented by attorneys with Our Children’s Trust, the Western Environmental Law Center, and McGarvey Law.
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