Subject matter jurisdiction defines a court’s power to decide a lawsuit involving a particular subject matter, and to render an enforceable judgment. A court generally has jurisdiction when the particular claim raised in the case is within its constitutional jurisdiction—as provided by the state constitution or the U.S. Constitution—or because jurisdiction has been mandated by the state legislature or the United States Congress.

In Montana, subject matter jurisdiction refers to the authority of a court to hear cases of a particular type or cases relating to a specific subject matter. This jurisdiction is established by the Montana Constitution, federal law, and state statutes. For example, the Montana District Courts have general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, meaning they can hear a wide range of cases including but not limited to personal injury, contract disputes, and felonies. On the other hand, limited jurisdiction courts, such as Justice Courts in Montana, have jurisdiction over certain types of cases, such as misdemeanors, small claims, and traffic offenses. The Montana Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction, meaning it reviews decisions of lower courts. Federal courts have jurisdiction as provided by the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes, which typically include cases involving federal laws, disputes between states, and cases where the United States is a party. It is important for a court to have subject matter jurisdiction to render a legally binding and enforceable judgment. If a court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any decisions or judgments it issues can be challenged and potentially deemed invalid.