James Lapotka
Republican · MT · Lake County Attorney
James Lapotka is the Lake County Attorney, whose office prosecutes felonies and some misdemeanors. He has pressed state leaders to fix mental health evaluation backlogs and jail crowding that delay or end prosecutions.
Where James Lapotka stands, based on their records
Supports
Public Safety and Crime Control (1 record)
Track record
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 1 support
Testified remotely to the Montana Senate Judiciary Committee in favor of Senate Bill 127. The bill sought state reimbursement for Lake County's felony law enforcement on the Flathead Reservation (Public Law 280). He said his five criminal attorneys filed 408 felony cases the prior year.
February 23, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: leaderadvertiser.com
Track record — General
General · 2 records
Told lawmakers, judges and officers at a Polson meeting that state delays in mental health evaluations forced Lake County to hold defendants over 200 days. He said the state failed to fund these programs, leaving the cost to counties.
November 25, 2024
Source: dailymontanan.com
Spoke at a public meeting on Lake County's exit from Public Law 280, the deal giving the county felony jurisdiction on the Flathead Reservation. He said he supported the withdrawal and criticized the governor for not naming a state point person for the change.
December 7, 2023
Source: leaderadvertiser.com
Past race James Lapotka ran in:
- County Attorney · November 3, 2026 · Lake County, Montana · incumbent