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§ 11.433 Disobedience to lawful order of court.
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A person who willfully disobeys any order, subpoena, summons, warrant or command duly issued, made or given by any Court of Indian Offenses or any officer thereof is guilty of a misdemeanor.
§ 11.434 Resisting arrest.
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A person commits a misdemeanor if, for the purpose of preventing a public servant from effecting a lawful arrest or discharging any other duty, he or she creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to the public servant or anyone else, or employs means justifying or requiring substantial force to overcome the resistance.
§ 11.435 Obstructing justice.
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A person commits a misdemeanor if, with purpose to hinder the apprehension, prosecution, conviction or punishment of another for a crime, he or she harbors or conceals the other, provides a weapon, transportation, disguise or other means of escape, warns the other of impending discovery, or volunteers false information to a law enforcement officer.
§ 11.436 Escape.
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A person is guilty of the offense of escape, a misdemeanor, if he or she unlawfully removes himself or herself from official detention or fails to return to official detention following temporary leave granted for a specific purpose or limited period.
§ 11.437 Bail jumping.
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A person set at liberty by court order, with or without bail, upon condition that he or she will subsequently appear at a specified time or place, commits a misdemeanor if, without lawful excuse, he or she fails to appear at that time and place.
§ 11.438 Flight to avoid prosecution or judicial process.
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A person who shall absent himself or herself from the Indian country over which the Court of Indian Offenses exercises jurisdiction for the purpose of avoiding arrest, prosecution or other judicial process shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
§ 11.439 Witness tampering.
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(a) A person commits a misdemeanor if, believing that an official proceeding or investigation is pending or about to be instituted, he or she attempts to induce or otherwise cause a witness or informant to:
(1) Testify or inform falsely; or
(2) Withhold any testimony, information, document or thing; or
(3) Elude legal process summoning him or her to supply evidence; or
(4) Absent himself or herself from any proceeding or investigation to which he or she has been legally summoned.
(b) A person commits a misdemeanor if he or she harms another by any unlawful act in retaliation for anything lawfully done in the capacity of witness or informant.
§ 11.440 Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
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A person commits a misdemeanor if, believing that an official proceeding or investigation is pending or about to be instituted, he or she:
(a) Alters, destroys, conceals, or removes any record, document or thing with purpose to impair its verity or availability in such proceeding or investigation; or
(b) Makes, presents or uses any record, document or thing knowing it to be false and with the purpose to mislead a public servant who is or may be engaged in such proceeding or investigation.
§ 11.441 Disorderly conduct.
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(a) A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he or she:
(1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior;
(2) Makes unreasonable noise or offensively coarse utterance, gesture or display, or addresses abusive language to any person present; or
(3) Creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
(b) Public means affecting or likely to affect persons in a place to which the public has access; among the places included are highways, schools, prisons, apartments, places of business or amusement, or any neighborhood.
(c) An offense under this section is a petty misdemeanor if the actor's purpose is to cause substantial harm or serious inconvenience, or if he or she persists in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning or request to desist. Otherwise, disorderly conduct is a violation.
§ 11.442 Riot; failure to disperse.
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(a) A person is guilty of riot, a misdemeanor, if he or she participates with two or more others in a course of disorderly conduct:
(1) With purpose to commit or facilitate the commission of a felony or misdemeanor; or
(2) With purpose to prevent or coerce official action; or
(3) When the actor or any other participant to the knowledge of the actor uses or plans to use a firearm or other deadly weapon.
(b) Where three or more persons are participating in a course of disorderly conduct likely to cause substantial harm or serious inconvenience, a law enforcement officer may order the participants and others in the immediate vicinity to disperse. A person who refuses or knowingly fails to obey such an order commits a misdemeanor.
§ 11.443 Harassment.
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A person commits a petty misdemeanor if, with purpose to harass another, he or she:
(a) Makes a telephone call without purpose or legitimate communication; or
(b) Insults, taunts or challenges another in a manner likely to provoke violent or disorderly response; or
(c) Makes repeated communications anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours, or in offensively coarse language; or
(d) Subjects another to an offensive touching; or
(e) Engages in any other course of alarming conduct serving no legitimate purpose.
§ 11.444 Carrying concealed weapons.
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A person who goes about in public places armed with a dangerous weapon concealed upon his or her person is guilty of a misdemeanor unless he or she has a permit to do so signed by a magistrate of the Court of Indian Offenses.
§ 11.445 Driving violations.
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(a) A person who shall operate any vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public safety is guilty of reckless driving, a petty misdemeanor, unless it is committed while under the influence of alcohol, in which case it is a misdemeanor.
(b) A person who shall drive, operate or be in physical control of any motor vehicle when his or her alcohol concentration is 0.10 or more shall be guilty of driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor.
(c) Any person who drives, operates, or is in physical control of a motor vehicle within the Indian country under the jurisdiction of a Court of Indian Offenses consents to a chemical test of his or her blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining the presence of alcohol, to be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer. The test may be required when the officer has reasonable cause to believe that a person is driving while intoxicated, and the person has either been lawfully placed under arrest for a violation of this section, or has been involved in a motor vehicle accident or collision resulting in property damage, personal injury, or death.
(d) In the absence of an applicable tribal traffic code, the provisions of state traffic laws applicable in the state where a Court of Indian Offenses is located shall apply to the operation of motor vehicles within the Indian country under the jurisdiction of the Court of Indian Offenses with the exception that any person found guilty of violating such laws shall, in lieu of the penalties provided under state law, be sentenced according to the standards found in §11.450 depending on the nature of the traffic code violation, and may be deprived of the right to operate any motor vehicle for a period not to exceed 6 months.
§ 11.446 Cruelty to animals.
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A person commits a misdemeanor if he or she purposely or recklessly:
(a) Subjects any animal in his or her custody to cruel neglect; or
(b) Subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment; or
(c) Kills or injures any animal belonging to another without legal privilege or consent of the owner.
(d) Causes one animal to fight with another.
§ 11.447 Maintaining a public nuisance.
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A person who permits his or her property to fall into such condition as to injure or endanger the safety, health, comfort, or property of his or her neighbors, is guilty of a violation.
§ 11.448 Abuse of office.
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A person acting or purporting to act in an official capacity or taking advantage of such actual or purported capacity commits a misdemeanor if, knowing that his or her conduct is illegal, he or she:
(a) Subjects another to arrest, detention, search, seizure, mistreatment, dispossession, assessment, lien or other infringement of personal or property rights; or
(b) Denies or impedes another in the exercise or enjoyment of any right, privilege, power or immunity.
§ 11.449 Violation of an approved tribal ordinance.
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A person who violates the terms of any tribal ordinance duly enacted by the governing body of the tribe occupying the Indian country under the jurisdiction of the Court of Indian Offenses and approved by the Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs or his or her designee, is guilty of an offense and upon conviction thereof shall be sentenced as provided in the ordinance.
§ 11.450 Maximum fines and sentences of imprisonment.
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(a) A person convicted of an offense under this code may be sentenced as follows:
(1) If the offense is a misdemeanor, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed six months or to a fine not to exceed $500.00, or both;
(2) If the offense is a petty misdemeanor, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed three months or to a fine not to exceed $250.00, or both;
(3) If the offense is a violation, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed one month or to a fine not to exceed $100.00, or both;
(b) The fines listed above may be imposed in addition to any amounts ordered paid as restitution.
Subpart E—Civil Actions
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§ 11.500 Law applicable to civil actions.
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(a) In all civil cases the Court of Indian Offenses shall apply any laws of the United States that may be applicable, any authorized regulations of the Interior Department, and any ordinances or customs of the tribe occupying the area of Indian country over which the court has jurisdiction, not prohibited by Federal laws.
(b) Where any doubt arises as to the customs and usages of the tribe the court may request the advice of counselors familiar with these customs and usages.
(c) Any matters that are not covered by the traditional customs and usages of the tribe, or by applicable Federal laws and regulations, shall be decided by the Court of Indian Offenses according to the law of the State in which the matter in dispute lies.
§ 11.501 Judgments in civil actions.
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(a) In all civil cases, judgment shall consist of an order of the court awarding damages to be paid to the injured party, or directing the surrender of certain property to the injured party, or the performance of some other act for the benefit of the injured party, including injunctive relief and declaratory judgments.
(b) Where the injury inflicted was the result of carelessness of the defendant, the judgment shall fairly compensate the injured party for the loss he or she has suffered.
(c) Where the injury was deliberately inflicted, the judgment shall impose an additional penalty upon the defendant, which additional penalty may run either in favor of the injured party or in favor of the tribe.
(d) Where the injury was inflicted as a result of accident, or where both the complainant and the defendant were at fault, the judgment shall compensate the injured party for a reasonable part of the loss he or she has suffered.
(e) No judgment shall be given on any suit unless the defendant has actually received notice of such suit and ample opportunity to appear in court in his or her defense.
§ 11.502 Costs in civil actions.
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(a) The court may assess the accruing costs of the case against the party or parties against whom judgment is given. Such costs shall consist of the expenses of voluntary witnesses for which either party may be responsible and the fees of jurors in those cases where a jury trial is had, and any further incidental expenses connected with the procedure before the court as the court may direct.
(b) In all civil suits the complainant may be required to deposit with the clerk of the court a fee or other security in a reasonable amount to cover costs and disbursements in the case.
§ 11.503 Applicable civil procedure.
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The procedure to be followed in civil cases shall be the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure applicable to United States district courts, except insofar as such procedures are superseded by order of the Court of Indian Offenses or by the existence of inconsistent tribal rules of procedure.
§ 11.504 Applicable rules of evidence.
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Courts of Indian Offenses shall be bound by the Federal Rules of Evidence, except insofar as such rules are superseded by order of the Court of Indian Offenses, or by the existence of inconsistent tribal rules of evidence.
Subpart F—Domestic Relations
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§ 11.600 Marriages.
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(a) A magistrate of the Court of Indian Offenses shall have the authority to perform marriages.
(b) A valid marriage shall be constituted by:
(1) The issuance of a marriage license by the Court of Indian Offenses and by execution of a consent to marriage by both parties to the marriage and recorded with the clerk of the court; or
(2) The recording of a tribal custom marriage with the Court of Indian Offenses within 30 days of the tribal custom marriage ceremony by the signing by both parties of a marriage register maintained by the clerk of the court.
(c) A marriage license application shall include the following information:
(1) Name, sex, occupation, address, social security number, and date and place of birth of each party to the proposed marriage;
(2) If either party was previously married, his or her name, and the date, place, and court in which the marriage was dissolved or declared invalid or the date and place of death of the former spouse;
(3) Name and address of the parents or guardian of each party;
(4) Whether the parties are related to each other and, if so, their relationship; and
(5) The name and date of birth of any child of which both parties are parents, born before the making of the application, unless their parental rights and the parent and child relationship with respect to the child have been terminated.
(6) A certificate of the results of any medical examination required by either applicable tribal ordinances, or the laws of the State in which the Indian country under the jurisdiction of the Court of Indian Offenses is located.
§ 11.601 Marriage licenses.
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A marriage license shall be issued by the clerk of the court in the absence of any showing that the proposed marriage would be invalid under any provision of this part or tribal custom, and upon written application of an unmarried male and unmarried female, both of whom must be eighteen (18) years or older. If either party to the marriage is under the age of eighteen (18), that party must have the written consent of parent or his or her legal guardian.
§ 11.602 Solemnization.
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(a) In the event a judge, clergyman, tribal official or anyone authorized to do so solemnizes a marriage, he or she shall file with the clerk of the court certification thereof within thirty (30) days of the solemnization.
(b) Upon receipt of the marriage certificate, the clerk of the court shall register the marriage.
§ 11.603 Invalid or prohibited marriages.
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(a) The following marriages are prohibited:
(1) A marriage entered into prior to the dissolution of an earlier marriage of one of the parties;
(2) A marriage between an ancestor and a descendant, or between a brother and a sister, whether the relationship is by the half or the whole blood;
(3) A marriage between an aunt and a nephew or between an uncle and a niece, whether the relationship is by the half or the whole blood, except as to marriages permitted by established tribal custom;
(4) A marriage prohibited by custom and usage of the tribe.
(b) Children born of a prohibited marriage are legitimate.
§ 11.604 Declaration of invalidity.
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(a) The Court of Indian Offenses shall enter a decree declaring the invalidity of a marriage entered into under the following circumstances:
(1) A party lacked capacity to consent to the marriage, either because of mental incapacity or infirmity or by the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other incapacitating substances; or
(2) A party was induced to enter into a marriage by fraud or duress; or
(3) A party lacks the physical capacity to consummate the marriage by sexual intercourse and at the time the marriage was entered into, the other party did not know of the incapacity; or
(4) The marriage is prohibited under §11.603.
(b) A declaration of invalidity may be sought by either party to the marriage or by the legal representative of the party who lacked capacity to consent.
§ 11.605 Dissolution.
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(a) The Court of Indian Offenses shall enter a decree of dissolution of marriage if:
(1) The court finds that the marriage is irretrievably broken, if the finding is supported by evidence that (i) the parties have lived separate and apart for a period of more than 180 days next preceding the commencement of the proceeding, or (ii) there is serious marital discord adversely affecting the attitude of one or both of the parties towards the marriage;
(2) The court finds that either party, at the time the action was commenced, was domiciled within the Indian country under the jurisdiction of the court, and that the domicile has been maintained for 90 days next preceding the making of the findings; and
(3) To the extent it has jurisdiction to do so, the court has considered, approved, or provided for child custody, the support of any child entitled to support, the maintenance of either spouse, and the disposition of property; or has provided for a separate later hearing to complete these matters.
(b) If a party requests a decree of legal separation rather than a decree of dissolution of marriage, the Court of Indian Offenses shall grant the decree in that form unless the other party objects.
§ 11.606 Dissolution proceedings.
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(a) Either or both parties to the marriage may initiate dissolution proceedings.
(b) If a proceeding is commenced by one of the parties, the other party shall be served in the manner provided by the applicable rule of civil procedure and within thirty days after the date of service may file a verified response.
(c) The verified petition in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or legal separation shall allege that the marriage is irretrievably broken and shall set forth:
(1) The age, occupation, and length of residence within the Indian country under the jurisdiction of the court of each party;
(2) The date of the marriage and the place at which it was registered;
(3) That jurisdictional requirements are met and that the marriage is irretrievably broken in that either (i) the parties have lived separate and apart for a period of more than 180 days next preceding the commencement of the proceeding or (ii) there is a serious marital discord adversely affecting the attitude of one or both of the parties toward the marriage, and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation;
(4) The names, age, and addresses of all living children of the marriage and whether the wife is pregnant;
(5) Any arrangement as to support, custody, and visitation of the children and maintenance of a spouse; and
(6) The relief sought.
§ 11.607 Temporary orders and temporary injunctions.
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(a) In a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or for legal separation, either party may move for temporary maintenance or temporary support of a child of the marriage entitled to support. The motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit setting forth the factual basis for the motion and the amounts requested.
(b) As a part of a motion for temporary maintenance or support or by an independent motion accompanied by an affidavit, either party may request the Court of Indian Offenses to issue a temporary injunction for any of the following relief:
(1) Restraining any person from transferring, encumbering, concealing, or otherwise disposing of any property except in the usual course of business or for the necessities of life, and, if so restrained, requiring him or her to notify the moving party of any proposed extraordinary expenditures made after the order is issued;
(2) Enjoining a party from molesting or disturbing the peace of the other party or of any child;
(3) Excluding a party from the family home or from the home of the other party upon a showing that physical or emotional harm would otherwise result;
(4) Enjoining a party from removing a child from the jurisdiction of the court; and
(5) Providing other injunctive relief proper in the circumstances.
(c) The court may issue a temporary restraining order without requiring notice to the other party only if it finds on the basis of the moving affidavit or other evidence that irreparable injury will result to the moving party if no order is issued until the time for responding has elapsed.
(d) A response may be filed within 20 days after service of notice of a motion or at the time specified in the temporary restraining order.
(e) On the basis of the showing made, the Court of Indian Offenses may issue a temporary injunction and an order for temporary maintenance or support in amounts and on terms just and proper under the circumstances.
(f) A temporary order or temporary injunction:
(1) Does not prejudice the rights of the parties or the child which are to be adjudicated at subsequent hearings in a proceeding;
(2) May be revoked or modified before the final decree as deemed necessary by the court;
(3) Terminates when the final decree is entered or when the petition for dissolution or legal separation is voluntarily dismissed.
§ 11.608 Final decree; disposition of property; maintenance; child support; custody.
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(a) A decree of dissolution of marriage or of legal separation is final when entered, subject to the right of appeal.
(b) The Court of Indian Offenses shall have the power to impose judgment as follows in dissolution or separation proceedings:
(1) Apportion or assign between the parties the non-trust property and non-trust assets belonging to either or both and whenever acquired, and whether the title thereto is in the name of the husband or wife or both;
(2) Grant a maintenance order for either spouse in amounts and for periods of time the court deems just;
(3) Order either or both parents owing a duty of support to a child to pay an amount reasonable or necessary for his or her support, without regard to marital misconduct, after considering all relevant factors. In addition:
(i) When a support order is issued by a Court of Indian Offenses, the order may provide that a portion of an absent parent's wages be withheld to comply with the order on the earliest of the following dates: When an amount equal to one month's support becomes overdue; when the absent parent requests withholding; or at such time as the Court of Indian Offenses selects. The amount to be withheld may include an amount to be applied toward liquidation of any overdue support.
(ii) If the Court of Indian Offenses finds that an absent parent who has been ordered to pay child support is now residing within the jurisdiction of another Court of Indian Offenses, an Indian tribal court, or a state court, it shall petition such court for reciprocal enforcement and provide it with a copy of the support order.
(iii) If the Court of Indian Offenses receives a petition from another Court of Indian Offenses, an Indian tribal court or a state court, it shall take necessary steps to determine paternity, establish an order for child support, register a foreign child support order or enforce orders as requested in the petition.
(iv) The Court of Indian Offenses shall assist a state in the enforcement and collection of past-due support from Federal tax refunds of absent parents living within the Indian country over which the court has jurisdiction.
(v) Any person or agency who has provided support or assistance to a child under 18 years of age shall be a proper person to bring an action under this section and to recover judgment in an amount equal to such past-paid support or assistance, including costs of bringing the action.
(4) Make child custody determinations in accordance with the best interest of the child.
(5) Restore the maiden name of the wife.
§ 11.609 Determination of paternity and support.
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The Court of Indian Offenses shall have jurisdiction of all suits brought to determine the paternity of a child and to obtain a judgment for the support of the child. A judgment of the court establishing the identity of the father of the child shall be conclusive of that fact in all subsequent determinations of inheritance by the Court of Indian Offenses or by the Department of the Interior.
§ 11.610 Appointment of guardians.
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The court shall have the jurisdiction to appoint or remove legal guardians for minors and for persons who are incapable of managing their own affairs under terms and conditions to be prescribed by the court.
§ 11.611 Change of name.
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The Court of Indian Offenses shall have the authority to change the name of any person upon petition of such person or upon the petition of the parents of any minor, if at least one parent is Indian. Any order issued by the court for a change of name shall be kept as a permanent record and copies shall be filed with the agency superintendent, the governing body of the tribe occupying the Indian country under the jurisdiction of the court, and any appropriate agency of the State in which the court is located.
Subpart G—Probate Proceedings
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§ 11.700 Probate jurisdiction.
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The Court of Indian Offenses shall have jurisdiction to administer in probate the estate of a deceased Indian who, at the time of his or her death, was domiciled or owned real or personal property situated within the Indian country under the jurisdiction of the court to the extent that such estate consists of property which does not come within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior.
§ 11.701 Duty to present will for probate.
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Any custodian of a will shall deliver the same to the Court of Indian Offenses within 30 days after receipt of information that the maker thereof is deceased. Any custodian who fails to do so shall be liable for damages sustained by any person injured thereby.
§ 11.702 Proving and admitting will.
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(a) Upon initiating the probate of an estate, the will of the decedent shall be filed with the court. Such will may be proven and admitted to probate by filing an affidavit of an attesting witness which identifies such will as being the will which the decedent executed and declared to be his or her last will. If the evidence of none of the attesting witnesses is available, the court may allow proof of the will by testimony that the signature of the testator is genuine.
(b) At any time within 90 days after a will has been admitted to probate, any person having an interest in the decedent's estate may contest the validity of such will. In the event of such contest, a hearing shall be held to determine the validity of such will.
(c) Upon considering all relevant information concerning the will, the Court of Indian Offenses shall enter an order affirming the admission of such will to probate, or rejecting such will and ordering that the probate of the decedent's estate proceed as if the decedent had died intestate.
§ 11.703 Petition and order to probate estate.
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(a) Any person having an interest in the administration of an estate which is subject to the jurisdiction of the court may file a written petition with the court requesting that such estate be administered in probate.
(b) The Court of Indian Offenses shall enter an order directing that the estate be probated upon finding that the decedent was an Indian who, at the time of his or her death, was domiciled or owned real or personal property situated within the Indian country under the jurisdiction of the court other than trust or other restricted property, that the decedent left an estate subject to the jurisdiction of the court, and that it is necessary to probate such estate.
§ 11.704 Appointment and duties of executor or administrator.
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(a) Upon ordering the estate to be probated, the court shall appoint an administrator to administer the estate of the decedent. The person nominated by the decedent's will, if any, to be the executor of the estate shall be so appointed, provided such person is willing to serve in such capacity.
(b) The executor or administrator appointed by the court shall have the following duties and powers during the administration of the estate and until discharged by the court:
(1) To send by certified mail true copies of the order to probate the estate and the will of the decedent admitted to probate by such order, if any, to each heir, devisee and legatee of the decedent, at their last known address, to the governing body of the tribe or tribes occupying the Indian country over which the court has jurisdiction, and to the agency superintendent;
(2) To preserve and protect the decedent's property within the estate and the heirs, so far as is possible;
(3) To investigate promptly all claims against the decedent's estate and determine their validity;
(4) To cause a written inventory of all the decedent's property within the estate to be prepared promptly with each article or item being separately set forth and cause such property to be exhibited to and appraised by an appraiser, and the inventory and appraisal thereof to be filed with the court;
(5) To give promptly all persons entitled thereto such notice as is required under these proceedings;
(6) To account for all property within the estate which may come into his or her possession or control, and to maintain accurate records of all income received and disbursements made during the course of the administration.
§ 11.705 Removal of executor or administrator.
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The Court of Indian Offenses may order the executor or administrator to show cause why he or she should not be discharged, and may discharge the executor or administrator for failure, neglect or improper performance of his or her duties.
§ 11.706 Appointment and duties of appraiser.
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(a) Upon ordering an estate to be probated, the court shall appoint a disinterested and competent person as an appraiser to appraise all of the decedent's real and personal property within the estate.
(b) It shall be the duty of the appraiser to appraise separately the true cash value of each article or item of property within the estate, including debts due the decedent, and to indicate the appraised value of each such article or item of property set forth in the inventory of the estate and to certify such appraisal by subscribing his or her name to the inventory and appraisal.
§ 11.707 Claims against estate.
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(a) Creditors of the estate or those having a claim against the decedent shall file their claim with the clerk of the court or with the executor or administrator within 60 days from official notice of the appointment of the executor or administrator published locally in the press or posting of signs at the tribal and agency offices, giving appropriate notice for the filing of claims.
(b) The executor or administrator shall examine all claims within 90 days of his or her appointment and notify the claimant whether his or her claim is accepted or rejected. If the claimant is notified of rejection, he or she may request a hearing before the court by filing a petition requesting such hearing within 30 days following the notice of rejection.
§ 11.708 Sale of property.
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After filing the inventory and appraisal, the executor or administrator may petition the court for authority to sell personal property of the estate for purposes of paying the expenses of last illness and burial expenses, expenses of administration, claims, if any, against the estate, and for the purpose of distribution. If, in the court's judgment, such sale is in the best interest of the estate, the court shall order such sale and prescribe the terms upon which the property shall be sold.
§ 11.709 Final account.
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(a) When the affairs of an estate have been fully administered, the executor or administrator shall file a final account with the court, verified by his or her oath. Such final account shall affirmatively set forth:
(1) That all claims against the estate have been paid, except as shown, and that the estate has adequate unexpended and unappropriated funds to fully pay such remaining claims;
(2) The amount of money received and expended by him or her, from whom received and to whom paid, referring to the vouchers for each of such payments;
(3) That there is nothing further to be done in the administration of the estate except as shown in the final account;
(4) The remaining assets of the estate, including unexpended and unappropriated money, at the time of filing the final account;
(5) The proposed determination of heirs and indicate the names, ages, addresses and relationship to the decedent of each distributee and the proposed distributive share and value thereof each heir, devisee or legatee is to receive; and
(6) A petition that the court set a date for conducting a hearing to approve the final account, to determine the heirs, devisees and legatees of the decedent and the distributive share each distributee is to receive.
§ 11.710 Determination of the court.
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At the time set for hearing upon the final account, the Court of Indian Offenses shall proceed to examine all evidence relating to the distribution of the decedent's estate, and consider objections to the final account which may have been filed by any heir, devisee, legatee, or other person having an interest in the distribution of the estate. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the court shall enter an order:
(a) Providing for payment of approved claims;
(b) Determining the decedent's heirs, devisees and legatees, indicating the names, ages and addresses of each, and the distributive share of the remaining estate which each distributee is to receive; and
(c) Directing the administrator or executor to distribute such distributive share to those entitled thereto.
§ 11.711 Descent and distribution.
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(a) The court shall distribute the estate according to the terms of the will of the decedent which has been admitted to probate.
(b) If the decedent died intestate or having left a will which has been rejected by the court, the estate shall be distributed as follows:
(1) According to the laws and customs of the tribe if such laws and customs are proved; or
(2) According to state law absent the existence of tribal laws or customs.
(c) If no person takes under the above subsections, the estate shall escheat to the tribe.
§ 11.712 Closing estate.
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(a) Upon finding that the estate has been fully administered and is in a condition to be closed, the court shall enter an order closing the estate and discharging the executor or administrator.
(b) If an order closing the estate has not been entered by the end of nine months following appointment of executor or administrator, the executor or administrator shall file a written report with the court stating the reasons why the estate has not been closed.
§ 11.713 Small estates.
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An estate having an appraised value which does not exceed $2,000.00 and which is to be inherited by a surviving spouse and/or minor children of the deceased may, upon petition of the executor or administrator, and a hearing before the court, be distributed without administration to those entitled thereto, upon which the estate shall be closed.
Subpart H—Appellate Proceedings
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§ 11.800 Jurisdiction of appellate division.
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The jurisdiction of the appellate division shall extend to all appeals from final orders and judgments of the trial division, by any party except the prosecution in a criminal case where there has been a jury verdict. The appellate division shall review all issues of law presented to it which arose in the case, but shall not reverse the trial division decision unless the legal error committed affected a substantial right of a party or the outcome of the case.
§ 11.801 Procedure on appeal.
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(a) An appeal must be taken within 15 days from the judgment appealed from by filing a written notice of appeal with the clerk of the court.
(b) The notice of appeal shall specify the party or parties taking the appeal, shall designate the judgment, or part thereof appealed from, and shall contain a short statement of reasons for the appeal. The clerk of the court shall mail a copy of the notice of appeal to all parties other than parties taking the appeal.
(c) In civil cases, other parties shall have 15 days to respond to the notice of appeal.
(d) In civil cases, the appellant may request the trial division to stay the judgment pending action on the notice of appeal, and, if the appeal is allowed, either party may request the trial division to grant or stay an injunction pending appeal. The trial division may condition a stay or injunction pending appeal on the depositing of cash or bond sufficient to cover damages awarded by the court together with interest.
§ 11.802 Judgment against surety.
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Any surety to a bond submits himself or herself to the jurisdiction of the Court of Indian Offenses, and irrevocably appoints the clerk of the court as his or her agent upon whom any papers affecting his or her liability on the bond may be served.
§ 11.803 Record on appeal.
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Within 20 days after a notice of appeal is filed, the clerk of court shall certify and file with the appellate division the record of the case.
§ 11.804 Briefs and memoranda.
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(a) Within 30 days after the notice of appeal is filed, the appellant may file a written brief in support of his or her appeal. An original and one copy for each appellee shall be filed with the clerk of court who shall mail one copy by registered or certified mail to each appellee.
(b) The appellee shall have 30 days after receipt of the appellant's brief within which to file an answer brief. An original and one copy for each appellant shall be filed with the clerk of the court who shall mail one copy, by registered or certified mail, to each appellant.
§ 11.805 Oral argument.
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The appellate division shall assign all criminal cases for oral argument. The court may in its discretion assign civil cases for oral argument or may dispose of civil cases on the briefs without argument.
§ 11.806 Rules of court.
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The chief magistrate of the appellate division shall prescribe all necessary rules concerning the operation of the appellate division and the time and place of meeting of the court.
Subpart I—Children's Court
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§ 11.900 Definitions.
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For purposes of sections pertaining to the children's court:
(a) Abandon means the leaving of a minor without communication or failing to support a minor for a period of one year or more with no indication of the parents' willingness to assume a parental role.
(b) Adult means a person eighteen (18) years or older.
(c) Counsel means an attorney admitted to the bar of a state or the District of Columbia or a lay advocate admitted to practice before the Court of Indian Offenses.
(d) Custodian means one who has physical custody of a minor and who is providing food, shelter and supervision to the minor.
(e) Custody means the power to control the day-to-day activities of the minor.
(f) Delinquent act means an act which, if committed by an adult, would be designated a crime under this part or under an ordinance of the tribe.
(g) Detention means the placement of a minor in a physically restrictive facility.
(h) Guardian means a person other than the minor's parent who is by law responsible for the care of the minor.
(i) Guardian ad Litem means a person appointed by the court to represent the minor's interests before the court.
(j) Juvenile offender means a person who commits a delinquent act prior to his or her eighteenth birthday.
(k) Minor means:
(1) A person under 18 years of age,
(2) A person 18 years of age or older concerning whom proceedings are commenced in the children's court prior to his or her eighteenth birthday, or
(3) A person 18 years of age or older who is under the continuing jurisdiction of the children's court.
(l) Minor-in-need-of-care means a minor who:
(1) Has no parent or guardian available and willing to take care of him or her;
(2) Is unwilling to allow his or her parent or guardian to take care of him or her;
(3) Has suffered or is likely to suffer a physical or emotional injury, inflicted by other than accidental means, which causes or creates a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, impairment of bodily functions or emotional health;
(4) Has not been provided with adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education or supervision by his or her parent, guardian or custodian;
(5) Has been sexually abused;
(6) Has been committing delinquent acts as a result of parental pressure, guidance or approval; or,
(7) Has been committing status offenses.
(m) Status offense means an offense which, if committed by an adult, would not be designated a crime under this part or under an ordinance of the tribe.
§ 11.901 The children's court established.
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When conducting proceedings under §§11.900–11.1114 of this part, the Court of Indian Offenses shall be known as the “Children's Court”.
§ 11.902 Non-criminal proceedings.
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No adjudication upon the status of any minor in the jurisdiction of the children's court shall be deemed criminal or be deemed a conviction of a crime, unless the children's court refers the matter to the Court of Indian Offenses. Neither the disposition nor evidence given before the children's court shall be admissible as evidence against the child in any proceeding in another court.
§ 11.903 Presenting officer.
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(a) The agency superintendent and the chief magistrate of the children's court shall jointly appoint a presenting officer to carry out the duties and responsibilities set forth under §§11.900–11.1114 of this part. The presenting officer's qualifications shall be the same as the qualifications for the official who acts as prosecutor for the Court of Indian Offenses. The presenting officer may be the same person who acts as prosecutor in the Court of Indian Offenses.
(b) The presenting officer shall represent the tribe in all proceedings under §§11.900–11.1114 of this part.
§ 11.904 Guardian ad litem.
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The children's court, under any proceeding authorized by this part, shall appoint, for the purposes of the proceeding, a guardian ad litem for a minor, where the court finds that the minor does not have a natural or adoptive parent, guardian or custodian willing and able to exercise effective guardianship, or where the parent, guardian, or custodian has been accused of abusing or neglecting the minor.
§ 11.905 Jurisdiction.
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The children's court has exclusive, original jurisdiction of the following proceedings:
(a) Proceedings in which a minor who resides in a community for which the court is established is alleged to be a juvenile offender, unless the children's court transfers jurisdiction to the Court of Indian Offenses pursuant to §11.907 of this part.
(b) Proceedings in which a minor who resides in a community for which the court is established is alleged to be a minor-in-need-of-care.
§ 11.906 Rights of parties.
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(a) In all hearings and proceedings under §§11.900–11.1114 of this part the following rights will be observed unless modified by the particular section describing a hearing or proceeding:
(1) Notice of the hearing or proceeding shall be given the minor, his or her parents, guardian or custodian and their counsel. The notice shall be delivered by certified mail. The notice shall contain:
(i) The name of the court;
(ii) The title of the proceeding; and
(iii) The date, time and place of the proceeding.
(b) The children's court magistrate shall inform the minor and his or her parents, guardian or custodian of their right to retain counsel, and, in juvenile delinquency proceedings, shall tell them: “You have a right to have a lawyer or other person represent you at this proceeding. If you cannot afford to hire counsel, the court will appoint counsel for you.”
(c) If the children's court magistrate believes there is a potential conflict of interest between the minor and his or her parents, guardian, or custodian with respect to legal representation, the court shall appoint another person to act as counsel for the minor.
(d) The minor need not be a witness against, nor otherwise incriminate, himself or herself.
(e) The children's court shall give the minor, and the minor's parent, guardian or custodian the opportunity to introduce evidence, to be heard on their own behalf and to examine witnesses.
§ 11.907 Transfer to Court of Indian Offenses.
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(a) The presenting officer or the minor may file a petition requesting the children's court to transfer the minor to the Court of Indian Offenses if the minor is 14 years of age or older and is alleged to have committed an act that would have been considered a crime if committed by an adult.
(b) The children's court shall conduct a hearing to determine whether jurisdiction of the minor should be transferred to the Court of Indian Offenses.
(1) The transfer hearing shall be held no more than 30 days after the petition is filed.
(2) Written notice of the transfer hearing shall be given to the minor and the minor's parents, guardian or custodian at least 72 hours prior to the hearing.
(c) All the rights listed in §11.906 shall be afforded the parties at the transfer hearing.
(d) The following factors shall be considered when determining whether to transfer jurisdiction of the minor to the Court of Indian Offenses:
(1) The nature and seriousness of the offense with which the minor is charged.
(2) The nature and condition of the minor, as evidenced by his or her age; mental and physical condition; past record of offenses; and responses to past children's court efforts at rehabilitation.
(e) The children's court may transfer jurisdiction of the minor to the Court of Indian Offenses if the children's court finds clear and convincing evidence that both of the following circumstances exist:
(1) There are no reasonable prospects for rehabilitating the minor through resources available to the children's court; and
(2) The offense allegedly committed by the minor evidences a pattern of conduct which constitutes a substantial danger to the public.
(f) When a minor is transferred to the Court of Indian Offenses, the children's court shall issue a written transfer order containing reasons for its order. The transfer order constitutes a final order for purposes of appeal.
§ 11.908 Court records.
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(a) A record of all hearings under §§11.900–11.1114 of this part shall be made and preserved.
(b) All children's court records shall be confidential and shall not be open to inspection to anyone but the minor, the minor's parents or guardian, the presenting officer, or others by order of the children's court.
§ 11.909 Law enforcement records.
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(a) Law enforcement records and files concerning a minor shall be kept separate from the records and files of adults.
(b) All law enforcement records and files shall be confidential and shall not be open to inspection to anyone but the minor, the minor's parents or guardian, the presenting officer, or others by order of the children's court.
§ 11.910 Expungement.
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When a minor who has been the subject of any proceeding before the children's court attains his or her twenty-first birthday, the children's court magistrate shall order the court records and the law enforcement records pertaining to the minor to be destroyed, except for adoption records which shall not be destroyed under any circumstances.
§ 11.911 Appeal.
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(a) For purposes of appeal, a record of the proceedings shall be made available to the minor and parents, guardian or custodian. Costs of obtaining the record shall be paid by the party seeking the appeal.
(b) Any party to a children's court hearing may appeal a final order or disposition of the case by filing a written notice of appeal with the children's court within 30 days of the final order of disposition.
(c) No decree or disposition of a hearing shall be stayed by such appeal.
(d) All appeals shall be conducted in accordance with this part.
§ 11.912 Contempt of court.
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Any willful disobedience or interference with any order of the children's court constitutes contempt of court which may be punished in accordance with this part.
Subpart J—Juvenile Offender Procedure
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§ 11.1000 Complaint.
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A complaint must be filed by a law enforcement officer or by the presenting officer and sworn to by a person who has knowledge of the facts alleged. The complaint shall be signed by the complaining witness, and shall contain:
(a) A citation to the specific section(s) of this part which gives the children's court jurisdiction of the proceedings;
(b) A citation to the section(s) of this part which the minor is alleged to have violated;
(c) The name, age, and address of the minor who is the subject of the complaint, if known; and
(d) A plain and concise statement of the facts upon which the allegations are based, including the date, time, and location at which the alleged facts occurred. (continued)