In re Name Change of Nichols

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Justia Opinion Summary

The case revolves around the petitioner, Tom Nichols, also known as Nikki, who is currently serving a prison sentence for sex crimes against children. Nikki, a transgender woman in the process of transitioning, filed a petition for a sealed-record name change, arguing that an open-record proceeding could jeopardize her safety due to her gender identity.

The District Court of the Third Judicial District initially denied Nikki's petition. The court's decision was based on the fact that Nikki failed to demonstrate probable cause that her safety was at risk, a requirement under Section 27-31-201, MCA, for a petition to proceed on a sealed-record basis. The court also had to be satisfied that the petitioner was not attempting to avoid debt or hide a criminal record.

Upon appeal, the Supreme Court of the State of Montana affirmed the lower court's decision. The Supreme Court noted that district courts have broad discretion to grant or deny a petition for a sealed-record name change. The Supreme Court would only reverse a district court decision if it was arbitrary or exceeded the bounds of reason, resulting in substantial injustice. In this case, the Supreme Court found that Nikki failed to provide specific instances of abuse or explain why an open-record proceeding would change her circumstances at the Montana State Prison. Furthermore, Nikki did not provide any support for the alleged risk of harm from members of the public. Therefore, the Supreme Court concluded that the District Court did not abuse its discretion when it determined the evidence was insufficient to support Nikki’s petition.

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04/23/2024 DA 23-0359 Case Number: DA 23-0359 IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA 2024 MT 85N IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF TOM NICHOLS, Petitioner and Appellant. APPEAL FROM: District Court of the Third Judicial District, In and For the County of Powell, Cause No. DV-23-26 Honorable Ed McLean, Presiding Judge COUNSEL OF RECORD: For Appellant: Tom Nichols, Self-Represented, Deer Lodge, Montana For Appellee: Lorraine Schneider, Staff Attorney, Montana Department of Corrections, Helena, Montana Submitted on Briefs: March 20, 2024 Decided: April 23, 2024 Filed: ir--6‘A•-if __________________________________________ Clerk Chief Justice Mike McGrath delivered the Opinion of the Court. ¶1 Pursuant to Section I, Paragraph 3(c), Montana Supreme Court Internal Operating Rules, this case is decided by memorandum opinion and shall not be cited and does not serve as precedent. Its case title, cause number, and disposition shall be included in this Court’s quarterly list of noncitable cases published in the Pacific Reporter and Montana Reports. ¶2 Petitioner Thomas Nichols (“Nikki”) appeals a Third Judicial District Court order denying her petition for a sealed-record name change (“Petition”). Nikki is currently incarcerated at the Montana State Prison for committing sex crimes against children. ¶3 On appeal, Nikki argues the District Court erred in denying the Petition because an open-record proceeding would risk her safety as an actively transitioning transgender woman. The State argues that Nikki has failed to show probable cause and that the District Court thus properly exercised its discretion in denying her Petition. ¶4 We affirm. ¶5 District courts have broad discretion to grant or deny a petition for a sealed-record name change. Section 27-31-201, MCA, provides: “The court may allow a petition to proceed on a sealed-record basis when probable cause is shown that the safety of the petitioner is at risk and the judge is satisfied that the petitioner is not attempting to avoid debt or to hide a criminal record.” (Emphasis added.) Further, a district court “may make an order changing the name or dismissing the applications, as to the court or judge may seem right and proper.” Section 27-31-204, MCA (emphasis added). 2 ¶6 We will only reverse a district court decision for an abuse of discretion if the decision is arbitrary or exceeds the bounds of reason, resulting in substantial injustice. State v. Hansen, 2022 MT 163, ¶ 10, 409 Mont. 495, 515 P.3d 799. ¶7 As cause for her Petition, Nikki alleges she has been harassed and abused while incarcerated as a direct result of her gender identity. By proceeding with a name change on an open record, Nikki fears she would be subject to additional abuse and harassment. She also notes a risk from specific family members who allegedly abused her in the past. ¶8 Other than to describe past harassment and abuse generally, Nikki does not identify or provide context for specific instances of abuse. Nikki has been living openly as a transgender woman at the MSP for roughly two years. Prison staff and inmates recognize her as a woman and refer to her as Nikki. Nikki has not explained why an open-record proceeding would change her circumstances at MSP, nor has she provided any support for the alleged risk of harm from members of the public. ¶9 On the record before us, we are not convinced that the District Court abused its discretion when it determined the evidence was insufficient to support Nikki’s Petition. Hansen, ¶ 10. ¶10 We have determined to decide this case pursuant to Section I, Paragraph 3(c) of our Internal Operating Rules, which provides for memorandum opinions. In the opinion of the Court, the case presents a question controlled by settled law or by the clear application of applicable standards of review. ¶11 Affirmed. 3 /S/ MIKE McGRATH We Concur: /S/ LAURIE McKINNON /S/ JAMES JEREMIAH SHEA /S/ INGRID GUSTAFSON /S/ DIRK M. SANDEFUR 4

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