This bill amends Section 45-2-101 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) by introducing clear definitions for "reasonable apprehension of bodily injury" and "reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury." The new legal language specifies that a "reasonable apprehension of bodily injury" is a belief that such injury is imminent, even if it does not ultimately occur, and that this belief would be held by a reasonable person under similar circumstances. The same approach is applied to "reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury," emphasizing the belief in the imminent nature of serious bodily injury, regardless of whether it ultimately happens. These amendments aim to clarify the legal standards for assessing apprehension of injury, which could impact various legal proceedings, including self-defense cases.

Additionally, the bill updates definitions within Montana's legal framework, enhancing clarity regarding terms related to state jurisdiction, property crimes, and legal proceedings. It introduces new definitions for terms such as "Vehicle," "Weapon," and clarifies the meaning of "Witness." The bill also retains existing definitions related to bodily injury and serious bodily injury, ensuring a consistent legal framework. Overall, the amendments seek to improve the precision of legal language, making definitions comprehensive and applicable across various legal contexts.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 45-2-101