Denise DeBiase-Janson

When I learned about the elected position of Justice of the Peace for Stillwater County, I decided to take a look into it. I noticed that the current JP was not elected by voters, and that my experience in the courts was much greater since I served as a law enforcement officer for 28 years and in that capacity for 17 years as a deputy clerk in our local court. Having dealt with people from every background on the job, in addition to working with the court almost daily, I was attracted to the possibility of looking at the other side of justice — in the courtroom. I had thought about going to law school after retirement so I could enter the legal system again and work in the courts. What I didn’t know is that in the state of Montana, the qualifications for a Justice of the Peace do not require a law degree. While I studied law in college, I put it into practice on the streets during my career, and I can now use that experience to serve justice on the bench, if elected.

I am a retired law enforcement executive with nearly three decades of experience in policing, court operations, and community-focused justice, and I am seeking to serve the people of Stillwater County as Justice of the Peace.