Justice McKinnon Cited in Broadwater County for Not Slowing for Emergency Vehicle

Montana Supreme Court Justice Laurie McKinnon is facing a Broadwater County misdemeanor citation that alleges she did not slow for a stationary emergency vehicle with lights activated on U.S. Highway 287. Broadwater County court records identify the charge as reckless endangerment of emergency personnel and say the citation was issued at 6:17 p.m. on Nov. 27.

Court records show McKinnon pleaded not guilty on Dec. 8. County officials have declined to release further details while the matter is pending. An omnibus hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20, 2026, to address pretrial matters and next steps in the case.

The charge carries penalties for a first offense of up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine. Montana law requires drivers to slow and, when safe, move over for emergency vehicles that are stationary with lights activated; the statutes are intended to protect first responders working at the roadside. Local law enforcement and legal officials routinely emphasize those requirements to reduce incidents on busy corridors such as U.S. Highway 287.

For residents of Lewis and Clark and Broadwater counties, the case intersects two concerns: immediate road safety and the principle that those who serve in public office are subject to the same laws as other citizens. The involvement of a sitting state supreme court justice makes the proceedings a matter of community interest because it touches on public confidence in the judiciary as well as on everyday safety for drivers and emergency personnel who work along state highways.

Broadwater County court records and statements from county officials form the factual basis for the citation and court timeline. Because county officials are withholding details while the case remains pending, many questions about the specific traffic circumstances and any evidence remain unanswered until the omnibus hearing and subsequent proceedings.

The case will be watched closely by local attorneys and residents who regularly travel U.S. Highway 287, where emergency stops are not uncommon. The scheduled omnibus hearing today should clarify what issues the court will address before trial and set the schedule for future court dates.

Whatever the outcome, the case underlines practical obligations on the road and broader expectations that the rule of law applies equally across public life. Residents can expect additional reporting as the court processes move forward and as officials provide more information.