Karuk Tribe - Tribal Code

Updated: December 2016

The tribe makes portions of their code available online. The links below will take you to the version of the code available on the tribe's website.

Table of Contents

Code sections available on the Karuk Judicial System webpage:

Title 10 - Tribal Court Ordinance (2010)
Section 10.0 Establishment of the Karuk Tribal Court
Section 10.1 Appropriations
Section 10.2 Jurisdiction and Powers
10.2.01. Civil Jurisdiction
10.2.02. Crimnal Jurisdiction
10.2.03. Powers of the Tribal Court
10.2.04. Full Faith and Credit
10.2.05. Inclusion of language from other laws, application of other laws
10.2.06. No Acceptance of State Jurisdiction
Section 10.3 Judges
10.3.01. Qualifications
10.3.02. Duties
10.3.03. Removal by Judicial Oversight Committee
10.3.04. Disqualification of Judges
10.3.05. Immunity
10.3.06. Compensation
Section 10.4 Court Administration
10.4.1. Duties
10.4.01. Hiring
10.4.02. Seal
Section 10.5 Court Procedures
10.5.01 Civil, Criminal and Appellate Rules of Court
Section 10.6 Appeals
10.6.01. Court of Appeals
10.6.02. Composition and Jurisdiction
10.6.03. Finality
Section 10.7 Appearances
10.7.01. Counsel or Spokesperson
10.7.02. Self-representation
10.7.03. Witnesses
Section 10.8 Records
10.8.01. Copies of Proceedings
10.8.02. [Withheld]
10.8.03. Fee Schedule
Section 10.9 Peacemaker Mediation Forum
10.9.01. Establishment and Purpose
Section 10.10 Judicial Oversight Committee
10.10.01. Purpose of the Committee
10.10.02. Structure and Terms of Members of the Judicial Oversight Committee
10.10.03. Filling Vacancies on the Committee and Qualifications of Members
10.10.04. [Withheld]
10.10.05. Authority and Decision-Making Process of the Committee, Removal
Section 10.11 Limitation of Actions and Sovereign Immunity
Section 10.11 Effective Date
Section 10.12 Certification

Children and Family Code Title I: Children And Youth in Need of Care (2009)
Section 1: Purpose and Placement Preferences
A. Purpose
B. Tribal Placement Preferences
Section 2: Definitions
Section 3: Jurisdiction and Case Transfers
A. Tribal Court Jurisdiction
B. Transfer of Jurisdiction to Tribal Court
C. Transfer from Tribal Court to State or other Tribal Court
D. Intergovernmental Relationships and Full Faith and Credit
E. Intervention under the ICWA
Section 4: Actions of the Tribal Court
A. General Authority
B. Custody of Child Pending Hearing
C. Medical Care and Examinations
D. Judgment for Support
E. Removal from Tribal Lands
Section 5: Records of the Karuk Tribal Court
A. Caption Headings
B. Court Records
Section 6: Karuk Child and Family Services
A. Duties
B. Use of other Tribal Resources
Section 7. Indian Child Welfare Committee
Section 8. Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect
A. Duty
B. Mandatory Reporters
C. Immunity
Section 9. Case Plans and Evidence
A. Case Reports and Plans
B. Evidence
C. Confidentiality
Section 10: Representatives for Minors
A. Appointment of Representative
B. CASA Qualifications and Duties
Section 11: Peacemaker Mediation Forum/Family Unity
A. Peacemaker Mediation Forum / Family Unity
Section 12: Notice and Service of Notice of Removal of a Child
A. Removal - Notice to the Parent, Guardian, or Custodian
Section 13: Investigation, Removal, and Notice
A. Investigation
B. Authority to Remove and Place in Temporary Custody
C. Efforts to Prevent Removal
Section 14: Filing a Youth in Need of Care Petition
A. Grounds and Content of the Petition
B. Notice upon filing of a Petition
C. Service of Summons
D. Required Notice and Rights for All Judicial Proceedings
Section 15: Initial (Detention) Hearing
Section 16: Determination (Jurisdiction) Hearing
A. Timing
B. Purpose
C. Findings
Section 17: Placement and Services (Disposition) Hearing
A. Timing
B. Evidence
C. Findings
Section 18: Status Review Hearings
A. Timing
B. Purpose and Findings
Section 19: Permanency Hearings
A. Timing
B. Purpose
C. Findings
Section 20: Guardianships
A. Purpose
B. Types of Guardianship
C. Guardianship of Property
D. Temporary Guardianship
E. Permanent Guardianship
F. Who May File Guardianship Petition
G. Contents of Guardianship Petition
H. Guardianship Report
I. Management of Property
Section 21: Termination and Modification of Parental Rights
A. Purpose
B. Grounds for Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights
C. Modification of Parental Rights
D. Pre-Filing Requirements
E. Who May File a Petition for Termination of Parental Rights
F. Contents of the Termination of Parental Rights Petition
G. Notice
H. Service
I. Waiver
J. Pre-Termination or Pre-Modification of Parental Rights Report
K. Relinquishment of Parental Rights by Voluntary Modification
L. Hearing
M. Burden of Proof
N. Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law
O. Result of Termination or Modification of Parental Rights Order
P. Children's Continued Right to Benefits
Q. Custody after Modification of Parental Rights Order
R. Future Status Review Hearings
Section 22: Adoptions
A. Adoptions
B. Consent
C. Execution of Consent
D. Petition to Adopt
E. Contents of Petition
F. Multiple Adoptees
G. Signing
H. Notice
I. Background Checks and Home Studies
J. Timing
K. Withdrawal of Consent
L. Vacating Decree
M. Adoption Preferences
N. Hearing Procedures
O. Findings
P. Appearance and Examination
Q. Denial
R. Consolidation
S. Adoption Assistance
Section 23: Appeals
A. Who Can Appeal
B. Time Limit for Appeal
C. Appellate Panel
D. Record
E. Stay of Appeal
F. Conduct of Proceedings
G. Administrative Appeals
Certification

Children and Family Code Title II: Family Relations (2009)
SECTION 1. POLICY, PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. Policy - Best Interests of the Child
B. Purpose
C. Scope
D. Dispute Resolution-Mediation/Peacemaking
E. Sovereign Immunity Preserved
F. Inconsistent Provisions of Other Law
G. Severability
SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS
SECTION 3 MARRIAGE
A. Persons Who May Marry
B. Prohibited Marriages
C. Who May Perform Marriage Ceremonies
D. Marriage Ceremony
E. Marriage Licenses, Affidavits and Certificates
F. Voidable Marriages
SECTION 4. DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE, LEGAL SEPARATION AND DECLARATION OF INVALIDITY OF MARRIAGE
A. Pleadings - Contents - Defense - Joinder of Parties
B. Temporary Order or Preliminary Injunction - Effect
C. Separation Agreement - Effect
D. Decree of Legal Separation, Dissolution of Marriage or Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage Findings Necessary
E. Irretrievable Breakdown of the Marriage - Finding
F. Disposition of Property
G. Modification and Termination of Property Disposition
H. Spousal Maintenance - Computation Factors
I. Payment of Spousal Maintenance - Records
J. Modification and Termination of Spousal Maintenance
K. Costs and Expenses
L. Decree - Finality - Restoration of Former Name
M. Independence of Provisions of Decree or Temporary Order
SECTION 5 - PARENTING PLANS AND VISITATION
A. Petition for Parenting Plan
B. Temporary or Interim Parenting Plan
C. Visitation Rights - Person Other Than Parent
D. Modification of Parenting Plan or Visitation
E. Representation of Child by CASA/Spokesperson - Fees
SECTION 6 - PARENT AND CHILD RELATIONSHIP
A. The parent and child relationship
B. Presumption of Paternity
C. Artificial Insemination
D. Determination of Father and Child Relationship - Who May Bring Action –When Action May Be Brought
E. DNA Tests
F. Evidence Relating to Paternity
G. Civil Action -Testimony - Evidence
H. Judgment or Order Determining Parent and Child Relationship Support Judgment and Orders - Custody
I. Support Orders -Time Limit, Exception
J. Temporary Support -Temporary Restraining Order Preliminary Injunction - Support Debts, Notice
K. Costs
L. Enforcement of Judgments or Orders
M. Modification of Judgment or Order - Continuing Jurisdiction
N. Action to Determine Mother and Child Relationship
O. Hearing or Trials to be in Closed Court -Records Confidential
SECTION 7 - CHILD SUPPORT
A. Authority to Establish a Child Support Schedule
B. General Standards for the Application and Use of the Child Support Schedule
C. Child Support Schedule and Calculations
D. Guidelines for Deviation from Support Obligation
E. In-Kind Services and Resources
F. Modification and Termination of Provisions for Child Support
G. Collection of Past Due Support
H. Payment of Support - Records
I. Wage Assignments and Garnishment
Child Support Schedule

Rules of Court and Civil Procedure (2016)
Rule 1: Authorization, Purpose and Scope
Rule 2: Construction / Precedent / Other Laws and Rules
Rule 3: Amendments to the Rules
Rule 4: Court Location and Scheduling
Rule 5: Court Records
Rule 6: Bringing a Case into Court / Parties
Rule 7: Service of Papers
Rule 8: Responses, Amendments and Forms
Rule 9: Motions / Ex Parte / Preliminary Injunctions / Temporary Restraining Applications
Rule 10. General Requirements for Papers
Rule 11. Discovery
Rule 12: Court Proceedings
Rule 13: Evidence and Tribal Custom
Rule 14: Courtroom Conduct
Rule 15: Judgments
Rule 16: Proceedings Involving Children
Rule 17: Practitioners in Tribal Court
Rule 18: Building Security
Rule 19: Appellate Procedures
Certification

Code sections available from other sections of the tribe's website:

Election Ordinance (2016)
Resolution No. 16-R-084
Section 1. Authority
Section 2. Purpose
Section 3. Establishment of the Election Committee
Section 4. Appointment and Composition of Election Committee Members
Section 5. Qualifications of Election Committee Members
Section 6. Term of Office
Section 7. Rulemaking
Section 8. Duties of the Election Committee
Section 9. Removal of Election Committee Members
Section 10. Voter Eligibility; Registrar
Section 11. Tribal Council Candidacy Eligibility
Section 12. Election; Notices
Section 13. Voting Method; Proxies Prohibited
Section 14. Ballots
Section 15. Handling of Special Circumstances
Section 16. Absentee Voting
Section 17. Election Dates
Section 18. Polling Places and Voting Hours
Section 19. Poll Watchers
Section 20. Election Day Procedures; Ballot Count
Section 21. Recount of Votes
Section 22. Ties
Section 23. Election Contests and Disputes
Section 24. Certification of Election Results
Section 25. Swearing in Process
Section 26. Filling Council Mid-Term Vacancies
Section 27. Special Elections
Section 28. Primary Elections
Section 29. Phasing in New District Election Procedures
Certification

Chapter 2 - Housing Ordinance (2014)
Article I. Declaration of Need
Article II. Purposes
Article III. Definitions
Article IV. Board of Commissioners
Article V. Powers and Authoritites of the Karuk Tribe Hausing Authority
Article VI. Immunities of the KTHA
A. Jurisdictional Immunity of the KTHA
B. Sovereign Immunity of the KTHA
Article VII. Miscellaneous
Article VIII. Cooperation in Connection with Projects
Certification

Chapter 3 - By-Laws of the Karuk Tribe Housing Authority (2014)
ARTICLE I - THE AUTHORITY
SECTION 1 Name of Authority
SECTION 2 Seal of Authority
SECTION 3 Office of Authority
SECTION 4 Board of Commissioners
ARTICLE II - OFFICERS
SECTION 1 Officers
SECTION 2 Chairperson
SECTION 3 Vice-Chairperson
SECTION 4 Secretary
SECTION 5 Treasurer
SECTION 6 Members At Large
SECTION 7 Executive Director
SECTION 8 Additional Duties
SECTION 9 Appointment
SECTION 10 Officer Elections
SECTION 11 Vacancies
SECTION 12 Nepotism
SECTION 13 Drug Free Workplace and Criminal History
ARTICLE III - MEETINGS
SECTION 1 A) Annual Planning Meeting
B) Quarterly Meetings
SECTION 2 Regular Meetings
SECTION 3 Emergency Meetings
SECTION 4 Quorum
SECTION 5 Order of Business
SECTION 6 Manner of Voting
ARTICLE IV - AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1 Amendments to By-Laws
CERTIFICATION

Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO) and Workforce Protection Act (2015)
Section 1 - General Provisions
1.1 Short Title
1.2 Authority
1.3 Effective Date
Section 2 - Administration of TERO Ordinance
2.1 The TERO Commission
2.2 Powers and Duties of Commission
2.3 Establishment of the TERO Office
2.4 Powers and Duties of the TERO Office
2.5 Tribal Employment Rights Fee
2.6 Fee Collection and Expenditure
2.7 Certification of Businesses
2.8 Application Procedures
2.9 Withdrawal of Certification
Section 3 - Indian Preference
3.1 Findings and Intent
3.2 Hiring Preference in Employment
3.3 Preference for Indian Owned Business
Section 4 - Fair Employment
4.1 Findings and Intent
4.2 Prohibited Bases of Discrimination
4.3 Actions Prohibited
4.4 Age; Exceptions and Special Cases
4.5 Religion; Creed; Exceptions and Special Cases
4.6 Disability; Exceptions and Special Cases
4.7 Marital Status; Exceptions and Special Cases
4.8 Sex, Sexual Orientation; Exceptions and Special Cases
Section 5 - Family Medical Leave Act
Section 6 - Right to Work & Union Membership
6.1 Declaration of Policy
6.2 Agreement to Deny Right to Work on Account of Membership or Non-Membership in Labor Union Prohibited
6.3 Employers Not to Require Union Membership as Conditions of Employment
6.4 Employers Not to Require Abstention from Union Membership as Condition of Employment
6.5 Employer Not to Require Payment of Union Dues as Condition of Employment
Section 7 - Complaints and Enforcement
7.1 Protest Procedures
7.2 The Complaint
7.3 Jurisdiction
7.4 Investigation
7.5 Appeals to the TERO Commission
7.6 Appeals Hearing Procedures
7.7 Disposition of Complaints and Remedies
7.8 Exclusivity of Remedy
7.9 Appeals to Tribal Council
7.10 Severability
Seciton 8 - Definitions
Certification by Tribal Chairman

Tribal Government Code of Conduct (2010)
Resolution No: 10-R-074
ARTICLE I. TITLE AND PURPOSE
SECTION 101. TITLE
SECTION 102. PURPOSE
ARTICLE II. PRINCIPLES
SECTION 201. CONDUCT IN CONFORMITY WITH APPLICABLE RULES AND LAWS
SECTION 202. EQUAL REPRESENTATION
SECTION 203. INTEGRITY
SECTION 204. CONFIDENTIALITY
SECTION 205. RESPONSIBILITY
SECTION 206. COMPETENCE
SECTION 207. ACCOUNTABILITY
ARTICLE III. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
SECTION 301. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
SECTION 302. ANTI-NEPOTISM
SECTION 303. CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENTS AND OFFICIAL ACTION
ARTICLE IV. FIDUCIARY DUTY
SECTION 401. ECONOMIC INTERESTS
SECTION 402. TRIBAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS: RESTRICTIONS AND BID REQUIREMENTS
SECTION 403. GIFTS, AWARDS, LOANS, REIMBURSEMENTS AND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
ARTICLE V. COMPENSATION
SECTION 501. COMPENSATION
ARTICLE VI. MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 601. AMENDMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENTAL CODE OF CONDUCT
ARTICLE VII. IMPLEMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE
SECTION 701. FILING OF COMPLAINTS
SECTION 702. NOTICE
SECTION 703. DETERMINATION TO PROCEED
SECTION 704. RESPONSE TO NOTICE
SECTION 705. FAIR HEARINGS
SECTION 706. ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION
SECTION 707. APPEALS
SECTION 708. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
SECTION 709. RETALIATION PROHIBITED
ARTICLE VIII. SANCTIONS AND PENALTIES
SECTION 801. ADMINISTRATIVE SANCTIONS
CERTIFICATION

[Table of Contents created by NILL in December 2016, based on code available on tribe's website.]