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April 18, 2007 - Effective May 7, 2007, every adult and juvenile who admit, plead guilty, or are found guilty of any criminal charge except Intoxication will be assessed Court costs of $25.00 in addition to any other fine that is ordered to be paid. full story...

Northern Cheyenne Court - Profile

The Northern Cheyenne Judicial Branch is composed of the Trial Court, the Appellate Court, and the Constitutional Court. The Judges of the Appellate Court also serve as the Constitutional Court Judges.

The Judicial Branch of Tribal Government is unique. Under the Separation of Powers Doctrine, the powerful Judicial Branch carries one third of the weight of the Tribal Government, yet is administered by the least number of staff and officers, currently consisting of three employees, one appointed Clerk of Court, three appointed Appellate Court Judges, and two elected tribal judges. In order to be effective, the process requires the services of a combination of elected officials, appointed officials, employees, community members, and Officers of the Court.

An officer of the Court is a Clerk of Court, the prosecutor, an attorney or lay advocate, or a police officer/bailiff. The Judge is the Chief Officer of the Court whose duty is to ensure a case, once filed, moves as quickly as possible through the judicial process while ensuring due process for all the parties. In criminal matters, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe is always the Plaintiff, represented by the Prosecutor. Police officers, social workers, and every day citizens are witnesses or jurors, and are not Officers of the Court. The Chief Trial Judge is also the Chief Executive Officer of the court administering the contract, grant, and other revenues. Many of the administrative duties are performed by the Clerk of Court who functions as the Court Administrator, similar to an assistant program director..