Lac Vieux Desert Tribal Court

It is the mission of the tribal court and appointed officials to provide fair, impartial, efficient and long-term resolution in the criminal and civil cases presented to tribal court. We do this through the application of tribal law as defined in our tribal codes that are passed by the tribal council.

Consistent with the ideas of self-determination and the sovereign powers of the tribe, we achieve these goals by honoring the tribal values of respect and culture. This allows for unity, fairness and due process in resolving conflicts and disputes within the Lac Vieux Desert Band.

The Tribal Court exercises criminal jurisdiction over LVD tribal members and members from other federally recognized tribes within the boundaries of the LVD reservation. Criminal jurisdiction extends to the ceded territories for hunting, fishing and trapping violations only. The Court exercises civil jurisdiction over all civil matters involving Indians within the boundaries of the reservation.

The Tribal Judiciary is a separate and equal branch of tribal government as defined in the LVD tribal constitution. The court is responsible to protect the procedural and individual rights of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indian people and entities subject to tribal jurisdiction.

The Chief Judge and Associate Judges preside over all civil and criminal cases in tribal court arising under the tribal constitution, statutes, regulations, or judicial decisions of LVD. The tribal court’s jurisdiction is based upon the tribe’s inherent sovereignty, traditional custom, and federal law.

A law library is located in the tribal court and is available for tribal members and other interested parties when court is not in session. The Clerk of Courts also provides notary services upon request.

Downloadable forms are available for anyone wanting to bring action in tribal court at www.lvdtribal.com under the tribal court section.

The Tribal Appellate Court consists of one tribal justice appointed by the LVD Chief Judge who decides appeals from Tribal Court. All Tribal Appellate Court decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

The LVD tribal court strives to secure the personal rights guaranteed by tribal law, federal law, and the tribal constitution through a fair, just and impartial judiciary system.

All criminal and civil matters such as traffic, small and large claims, juvenile delinquency, child in need of care petition, custody, divorce, marriage, guardianship and adoptions may be scheduled in tribal court. The issues of hunting, fishing and trapping violations are heard as well.