State v. Wilson

Summary

The Montana Supreme Court dismissed Richard Earl Wilson’s appeal from his misdemeanor conviction and sentence for violating Montana’s no-passing-zone statute. The court declined to reach the merits because Wilson failed to provide a trial transcript, identify specific appellate issues, adequately develop his arguments, or cite supporting authority and the record.

Holdings

1. An appellant who fails to provide the required transcript or otherwise comply with the transcript requirements cannot obtain appellate review of evidentiary issues that allegedly occurred during the trial.
2. An appeal may be dismissed when the appellant fails to state the issues presented, articulate contentions with reasonable precision, cite supporting authorities, and cite the record.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the Supreme Court could review Wilson's asserted evidentiary errors when he failed to provide a transcript of the trial as required by the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure.
2. Whether the appeal should be dismissed because Wilson failed to state specific issues, summarize and support his arguments, and cite the record as required by the Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Disposition

dismissed