# Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council

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URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Apyramid_lake%3Ae86b39d82e058790

## Record

- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council
Post Office Box 256
Nixon, Nevada 89424
Telephone: (775) 574-1000
Fax (775) 574-1054

RESOLUTION NO.: PL 082-19
RESOLUTION OF THE TRIBAL COUNCIL
OF THE PYRAMID LAKE PAIUTE TRIBE
NIXON, NEVADA
WHEREAS, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe is organized pursuant to the provisions of Section
16 of the Indian Reorganization Act (25 U.S .C. § 476) and is federally recognized
by the United States Government through the Secretary of the Interior and the
Bureau of Indian Affairs; and possesses attributes of sovereignty over both the
members and territory.
WHEREAS, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, pursuant to Article VI, Section 1 of the Constitution
and By-laws of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, authorized the Pyramid Lake Tribal
Council to act on behalf of the Pyramid Lake Tribe, and to promulgate ordinances
to safeguard the peace and safety of residents of the Reservation and to establish
courts for the adjudication of claims and disputes; and
WHEREAS: pursuant to these powers, the Tribal Council has created a Law & Order Code and
other laws and ordinances to govern the conduct of people within the Tribe's
Reservation; and
WHEREAS: the Tribal Council has recognized the importance of reviewing and updating the
Law and Order Code to ensure the Code meets the Tribe's needs and best serves to
protect the interests of the Tribe, its members and persons living and working on
Tribal lands; and
WHEREAS: to meet this goal, the Tribe's Law and Order Committee has recommended that the
Tribal Council add revised Chapter 2 with resolution of the Law and Order Code
2013 to current code.
WHEREAS: the revised Chapter 2 with resolution was posted for at least thirty days to allow for
public comment, No comments received by the Law and Order Committee and the
Committee submitted its recommendation to the Tribal Council;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council hereby
accepts the recommendation of the Law and Order Committee and hereby adopts
the revised Chapter 2 with resolution of the Law and Order Code.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Tribal Chairman or designee is hereby authmized to
effectuate any and all administrative actions necessaiy for implementation of this
resolution.

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council
Page2

RESOLUTION NO.: PL 082-19

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, nothing in this resolution shall be construed as a waiver of the
sovereign immunity of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

CERTIFICATION
It is hereby certified that the foregoing resolution of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council, governing
body of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, composed often members, of whom nine (9) constituting a quorum
were present at a meeting duly held on the 2ff" day of September, 2019 was adopted by the affirmative vote
of seven (7) FOR and zero (0) AGAINST, with zero (0) ABSTENTIONS; pursuant to the authority
contained in the Constitution and By-laws of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

VllJAAu..©.
Brenda A. Henry, Tribal
etary
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Council

CHAPTER 2
TRIBAL COURT SYSTEM
3.2.100

PYRAMID LAKE TRIBAL COURT (hereinafter "Court")

3.2.102

Judges

A.
CHIEF JUDGE. The Court shall include one Chief Judge who shall have the
authority to hear all cases before the Court, or otherwise designate an Associate Judge to
hear a case . The Chief Judge shall also be responsible for the management of the Court in
consultation with the Court Administrator. The Chief Judge shall be appointed by the Tribal
Council in accordance with applicable hiring or contracting procedures.
B.
ASSOCIATE JUDGE. The Court shall further consist of one or more Associate
Judges. An Associate Judge may act only when so designated by the Chief Judge or when
immediate action by a Tribal Judge is required and the Chief Judge cannot be reachecj . The
Associate Judge shall be appointed by the Tribal Council in accordance with applicable hiring
or contracting procedures.

3 .2. 104

Term of Office

A.
Each Judge shall hold office for a period of three (3) years, unless sooner
removed for cause. Each judge shall be eligible for reappointment.
B.

3.2.106

A judge may be removed for cause under the following circumstances:
1.

Neglect of duty

2.

Violation of Tribal law or custom;

3.

Violation of the Tribe's Code of Ethics;

4.

Disciplinary proceedings against the judge by a state bar where he is
licensed resulting in suspension and/or disbarment.

Qualifications of Judges

A person shall be eligible to serve as the Chief Judge of the Pyramid Lake Tribal
Court if that person:
1.

has a degree from an accredited law school;

2.

is licensed to practice law by the highest court of any state; and

3.

is familiar with Federal Indian law and the laws of the Pyramid Lake
Paiute Tribe.

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No. PL 082-19
Chapter 2/Page 1

B.
A person shall be eligible to serve as an Associate Judge of the Pyramid Lake
Tribal Court if that person meets the qualifications set out for Chief Judge of the Pyramid
Lake Tribal Court, or
1.

is an Indian or Tribal member familiar with the laws and customs of the
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe;

2.

is at least 25 years of age;

3.

has never been convicted of a felony within five (5) years prior to the
appointment; or

4.

has never been convicted of a misdemeanor within five (5) years prior to
the appointment.

C.
No judge shall be qualified to act as a judge in any case when he has any
direct interest or wherein any relative by marriage or by blood, in the first or second
degrees, is a party.

3.2.108

Discipline of a Judge

A.
A complaint against a judge may be filed with the Tribal Secretary's office in
accordance with the Tribe's Complaint Policy. Upon receipt of the complaint and within thirty
(30) days, the Law and Order Committee shall investigate the allegations. If no reasonable
grounds are found, the Law and Order Committee shall dismiss the complaint. If reasonable
grounds appear to exist, the Law and Order Committee shall prepare and submit a written
recommendation to the Tribal Council to conduct a disciplinary hearing.
B.
Within ten (10) days of receiving a recommendation to conduct a disciplinary
hearing from the Law and Order Committee, the Tribal Council shall decide by majority vote
whether the recommendation is frivolous and should be dismissed, or whether the
recommendation requires a disciplinary hearing before the Tribal Council. Within five (5)
days of this decision, the Judge shall be notified of the Tribal Council's decision.
C.
If the Tribal Council decides to proceed to a disciplinary hearing, the notice of
the Tribal Council's decision shall include a copy of the complaint and the Law and Order
Committee's recommendation. The notice shall also state the date, time and location of the
disciplinary hearing, and must be served upon the Judge at least ten (10) days prior to the
date of the hearing. The notice shall be served upon the Judge via certified mail, return
receipt requested.

D.
The Tribal Council shall have the discretion to determine the process to follow
in conducting the disciplinary hearing. However, the Judge shall have an opportunity to
address the Tribal Council regarding the complaint. After due consideration of all the
evidence presented at the disciplinary hearing, the Tribal Council shall decide by at least a
two-thirds (2/3) majority vote whether grounds exist to discipline the Judge, and if grounds
exist to discipline the Judge, then the Tribal Council shall determine the type of discipline to
impose on the Judge, which may include removal. Notice of the Tribal Council's disciplinary
hearing decision must be sent via certified mail to the Judge within five (5) days of the
decision.

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No. PL 082 - 19
Chapter 2/Page 2

E.
A Judge removed for cause may be reappointed after five (5) years from the
date of removal.

3.2.110

Rules of Court

A.
PROMULGATION. The time and place of court sessions and all other details of
judicial procedure not prescribed in this Law and Order Code shall be prescribed in Court
Rules promulgated by the Chief Judge. The Court Rules shall be deemed in effect within
thirty (30) d~:iys of promulgation unless repealed or modified by the Tribal Council in
consultation with the Law and Order Committee and Court Administrator.
B.
LAW AND ORDER COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND TRIBAL COUNCIL
REVIEW. Immediately following promulgation of any Court Rules, the Chief Judge shall
deliver a copy of the rule(s) to the Law and Order Committee in consultation with the Court
Administrator, for recommendation to the Tribal Council. The Tribal Council may repeal or
modify any Court Rule upon recommendation of the Law and Order Committee.
C.
APPLICABILITY OF FEDERAL RULES OF PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE. To the
extent that court procedures are not covered by the Pyramid Lake Tribal Court Rules of
Court, this Law and Order Code or any applicable rules of appellate procedure, the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of
Evidence, and the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure shall apply.

3.2.112

Prosecutor

The Tribal Prosecutor shall serve as an officer of the Court. The Prosecutor shall
represent the Tribe in all adult criminal and adult quasi-criminal matters and in juvenile
justice matters before the Court. The Prosecutor shall institute criminal or civil proceedings
against any persons who violate the provisions of this Code. The Tribal Prosecutor shall be
appointed by the Tribal Council in accordance with applicable hiring or contracting
procedures.

3.2.114

Defense Advocate

The Defense Advocate shall serve as an officer of the Court. The Defense Advocate
shall represent criminal defendants unable to afford their own criminal defenses, shall
represent juvenile offenders as provided in the Juvenile Code herein and perform other
duties as prescribed in this Code. The Defense Advocate shall be appointed by the Tribal
Council in accordance with applicable hiring or contracting procedures.

3.2.116

Court Administrator

The Court Administrator shall serve as an officer of the Court. The Court
Administrator shall establish, implement and maintain the Tribal Court system, including,
but not limited to, case management, record keeping, judicial program management and
overseeing and coordinating the administrative and management functions of the Judicial
Department, in consultation with the Chief Judge. The Court Administrator shall collect
fines, civil penalties, and fees authorized by this Code; shall submit all such funds to the
Tribe's Finance Department; and shall make an accounting thereof to the Tribal Council. The
Court Administrator shall follow all Tribal Financial Policies and Procedures. When necessary,
the Court Administrator will also undertake the duties of the Clerk of the Court. The Court

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No. PL 082-19
Chapter 2/Page 3

Administrator will be selected by the Tribal Council in accordance with applicable hiring
procedures.

3.2.118

Clerk of the Court

The Clerk of the Court ("Court Clerk" or "Clerk") shall serve as an officer of the Court
and shall be selected by the Court Administrator in consultation with the Chief Judge, in
accordance with applicable hiring procedures. The Clerk of the Court shall be supervised by
the Court Administrator in consultation with the Chief Judge. The duties of the Clerk shall
include but are not limited to, attending and keeping a written record or a taped transcript
of all proceedings of the Court, administering oaths to witnesses, and performing other
related duties as required or assigned.

3.2.120

Probation Officer

The Probation Officer shall serve as an officer of the Court. The Probation Officer
shall insure that persons on probation shall obey the orders of the Court and the
requirements of this Code. The Probation Officer shall perform other duties as prescribed in
this Code or in an order issued by the Court. The Probation Officer shall be supervised by
the Court Administrator for all administrative matters (e.g., sick leave, training, annual
leave, etc.) and by the issuing Judge in probation matters. The Probation Officer will be
selected by the Court Administrator in accordance with applicable hiring procedures.

3.2.122

Juvenile Probation Officer

The Juvenile Probation Officer shall serve as an officer of the Court. The Juvenile
Probation Officer shall insure that persons on probation shall obey the orders of the Court
and perform other duties as prescribed in this Code or in an order issued by the Court. The
Juvenile Probation Officer shall be supervised by the Court Administrator for all
administrative matters (e.g., sick leave, training, annual leave, etc.) and by the issuing
judge in probation matters . The Juvenile Probation Officer will be selected by the Court
Administrator in accordance with applicable hiring procedures.

3.2.124

Children's Advocate

The Children's Advocate shall serve as an officer of the Court. The Children's
Advocate shall act on behalf of a minor under the age of 18 in accordance with the Juvenile
Code and perform other duties as prescribed in this Code. The Children's Advocate shall be
supervised by the Court Administrator for all administrative matters (e.g., sick leave,
training, annual leave, etc.) and by the Chief Judge or Associate Judge for Children's Court
or Juvenile Court, or other domestic or family law matters. The Children's Advocate will be
hired by the Court Administrator in accordance with applicable hiring procedures.

3.2 . 126

Guardian ad Litem

The Guardian ad Litem serves as an officer of the Court. Any presiding Judge of the
Court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem to represent the interests of a minor in any court
proceeding as required by law.

3.2.128

Definition of "Indian"

For all purposes in the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Law and Order Code, unless
otherwise stated, an "Indian" shall be defined as any person who is a member of the
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No . PL 082-19
Chapter 2/Page 4

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, a federally recognized tribe or who is eligible to be a member of
a Federally recognized tribe; or who is defined as "Indian" by applicable Federal law.
3.2.200

JURISDICTION

3.2.202

Criminal Jurisdiction

A. The Pyramid Lake Tribal Court shall have jurisdiction over all criminal offenses
committed by any Indian as provided in this Law and Order Code. The Tribal Court is
authorized to exercise criminal jurisdiction over any person to the fullest extent permitted
under Federal law.
B.
CONCURRENT FEDERAL JURISDICTION. With respect to any of the offenses
enumerated in the ordinances of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe over which federal courts
may have lawful jurisdiction, the jurisdiction of the Pyramid Lake Tribal Court shall be
concurrent and not exclusive. It shall be the duty of the Pyramid Lake Tribal Court to order
delivery to the proper authorities any person detained or in the custody of the Tribe
according to applicable Federal or Tribal law.
3.2.204

Civil Jurisdiction

A.
SUBJECT MATIER JURISDICTION. The Pyramid Lake Tribal Court shall have
jurisdiction over all civil suits wherein the cause of action arose within the exterior
boundaries of the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation. No judgment shall be given on any suit
unless the defendant has received actual or constructive notice of such suit and has been
given ample opportunity to appear in court in his/her defense. Evidence of service of the
notice shall be kept as part of the record in the case.
B.
The Pyramid Lake Tribal Court shall have in rem jurisdiction over property
located within the exterior boundaries of the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation so long as
such jurisdiction is not inconsistent with Federal law.
C.
PERSONAL JURISDICTION. The Pyramid Lake Tribal Court shall have personal
jurisdiction over all persons who have had sufficient minimum contact with the Pyramid
Lake Paiute Tribe or the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation including but not limited to, those
who reside, commit a tort, enter into a marriage, drive, obtain any Tribal license, enter into
or perform contracts, transact business or own or lease real property within the exterior
boundaries of the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation.

D. Definition of Person. For purposes of this Law and Order Code, "person" shall be
defined as any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity.
3.2.300

PYRAMID LAKE TRIBAL COURT OF APPEALS

3.2.302

Jurisdiction

There is hereby established an appellate court which shall be called the Pyramid Lake
Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals shall have jurisdiction over all cases appealed from
the Tribal Court.
3.2.304

Composition

A.
All judges of the Pyramid Lake Tribal Court shall be eligible to sit on the Court
of Appeals, except that the judge from whose decision the appeal is taken shall not sit on
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No. PL 082-19
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the Court of Appeals for that case . Three judges shall sit on the Pyramid Lake Court of
Appeals.
1.
At least one (1) judge of the Pyramid Lake Tribal Court of Appeals must
meet the qualifications for the Chief Judge as set forth in this Chapter.
2.

At least one (1) judge on the Appellate Panel must be an enrolled
member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe who does not have to be an
attorney, cannot be a member of the Tribal Council; cannot have any
interest in the case under appeal; and have an understanding and
knowledge of the Tribe's Law and Order Code.

B.
Nothing in §3.2.300 to §3.2.308 shall prevent the Tribal Council from entering
into an agreement with other tribes, reservations and colonies of Nevada Indians to form an
appellate court system to hear appeals from various tribal courts, including the Pyramid
Lake Tribal Court. Any such agreement by the Tribal Council and the rules of the intertribal
appellate court system shall take precedence over the general provisions contained in
§3.2.300 to §3.2.308, except for §3.2.306.A.

3.2.306

Appellate Procedure

A. Any party may appeal a final decision or judgment of the Tribal Court by filing a
written Notice of Appeal with the Clerk of the Court within thirty (30) calendar days of
service of the formal notice of the entry of the Judge's decision. Where a decision is not
delivered at a hearing with both parties present, the thirty (30) days does not begin to run
until the service date of the formal notice of the decision. The Clerk of the Court shall serve
the notice of entry of the order to the parties within five (5) days of receipt from the Judge.
A decision of the Tribal Court on subject-matter jurisdiction over a case against the Tribe or
its officials, employees, or agents in their official capacities shall be considered final for
appellate court purposes.
B.
Upon receiving the Notice of Appeal, the Clerk of the Court shall create an
appellate case file and transfer the entire record, including any notation indicating the
existence of a recording of the proceedings, to the Court of Appeals. Only specific and
relevant parts of the recorded transcript shall be necessary to become a part of the
appellate record. A party shall designate the specific parts of the recorded transcript needed
and shall pay the appropriate cost as required.
Whenever possible, in order to eliminate unnecessary travel and delay, appeals
shall be decided on the record of the case or briefs of the parties of the case, including the
written order or decision and any recording or transcript of the trial proceedings. The Court
of Appeals, exercising its discretion, may require an oral argument or if one of the parties so
requests.
C.

D.
After the Appellate Court decides an appeal, their decision shall be reduced to
writing, signed by all judges participating in the decision and a copy of the decision shall be
sent to each party by certified mail. The original shall be filed in the case file and remain a
part of the record in any further proceedings.

3.2.308

Stay of Execution

Any party may request a Stay of Execution of the Judgment until final disposition of
the case by the Court of Appeals is made. Such request shall be filed with the trial court
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No. PL 082-19
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who may issue protective orders, a bond, and take other action necessary to protect the
interests of the parties as required.

3.2.400

PRACTICE BEFORE THE TRIBAL COURT

3.2.402

Establishment of the Pyramid Lake Tribal Court Bar Association and
Roll of Attorneys

The Chief Judge is hereby authorized to establish the Pyramid Lake Tribal Court Bar
Association by Court Rules setting forth the requirements, qualifications and disciplinary and
ethical rules as required.
A.
The Bar of the Tribal Court shall consist of those persons who have previously
been admitted to practice and those who will in the future be admitted to practice before
the Court;
B.
The names of all persons admitted to practice in Tribal Court shall be
recorded on the Court's Roll of Attorneys/Advocates. The Court Administrator shall be
responsible for maintaining the Roll of Attorneys/Advocates.

3.2.404

Eligibility for Admission to the Bar of the Court

A.
Any attorney who is a member in good standing of any Federal, District, or
State Supreme Court shall be eligible for admission to practice before the Court upon
fulfilling the procedural requirements set forth in this Chapter.
B.
Any member of a Federally-recognized tribe who is twenty-one (21) years of
age or older shall be eligible for admission to practice before the Tribal Court, provided that
he has fulfilled the procedural requirements set forth in this Chapter and has never been
convicted of a felony.
C.

Any person has the right to represent himself before the Tribal Court.

D.
Any person who practices as an attorney/advocate before the Tribal Court
shall be required to have adequate knowledge of substantive and procedural Tribal law as
set forth in this Law and Order Code and the Rules of the Court to properly and adequately
represent the best interests of his client.
E.
Any qualified person who is not licensed to practice law shall be permitted to
practice before the Court. Non-attorney advocates shall enter their appearance by filing an
action or a notice of appearance in writing with the Clerk of the Court. Non-attorney
Advocates shall be held to the same standards of knowledge and ability as are expected of
attorneys. A person who retains the services of a non-attorney Advocate in his defense of a
criminal charge against him thereby exercises his right to the assistance of counsel. Any
person who retains the services of a non-attorney Advocate does so at his own risk
regarding the competency of the Advocate.
F.
Any person who practices as legal counsel before the Tribal Court shall sign
an Oath of Confidentiality, which will be kept on file with the Court. By signing this Oath, the
Advocate shall be deemed to understand that criminal and/or civil charges may be brought
against him for any unauthorized disclosure of privileged information, in addition to his
immediate dismissal from the bar. Other violations of applicable standards for
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No. PL 082-19
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attorneys/advocates, such as misuse or tampering with Tribal property, shall be prosecuted
under the appropriate sections of this Code.

3.2.406

Procedure for Admission

A.
Each applicant for admission to the Bar of the Tribal Court shall file with the
Clerk of the Court an application to practice before the Court, setting forth the following:
1.

Residence and office addresses and telephone numbers;

2.

General and legal education;

3.

Courts to which the applicant has been admitted to practice;

4.

Whether or not he is a Tribal member or a member of another tribe;

5.

Age;

6.

Whether or not he has been convicted of a felony; and

7.

Any other information required by the Court as set forth in the approved
Rules of Court.

B.
Each applicant shall be required to demonstrate competence through
adequate knowledge of substantive and procedural Tribal law as set forth in this Code and
the approved Rules of the Court.
C.
Each applicant shall execute the Court Officer's Oath as set forth in the
approved Rules of the Court.

D.
The Chief Judge will review the application and will grant admission to the
Pyramid Lake Tribal Bar if the applicant satisfies all of the requirements of this Chapter.

3.2.408

Permission to Participate in a Particular Case

A person eligible to practice before the Court pursuant to this Chapter may be
granted permission by the Judge to participate in a particular case without filing a full
petition, but must file an affidavit stating that he is eligible to practice before the Court
under the provisions of this Section.

3.2.410

Admission

A.
All persons admitted to practice in the Court and wishing to maintain
enrollment in the Pyramid Lake Tribal Bar shall pay an annual fee, as determined by the
Chief Judge, by January 31st of each year.
B.
All persons admitted to practice before the Court for a particular case shall
pay the fee set by the Chief Judge upon the grant of permission by a Tribal Judge.
C.
The Clerk of the Court shall post a list of all attorneys and advocates admitted
to practice before the Court, in a place accessible to those persons who may need legal
representation; however, a person is not restricted to using only those attorneys or

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No. PL 082-19
Chapter 2/Page 8

advocates listed so long as any other attorney or advocate follows the procedures for
admission to the bar.
D.
The proceeds from the annual admission fees shall be deposited with Tribal
Finance and may be used by the Court for court costs and expenditures associated with
regulation of Admission to the Bar as provided in this Chapter.

3.2.412

Disbarment and Discipline

A.
The Chief Judge and a representative from the Law and Order Committee
may jointly disbar a person from practice before the Court upon the recommendation of a
Chief Judge or another Tribal Judge in consultation with the Court Administrator, or may
suspend from practice said person as deemed appropriate on any of the following grounds:
1.

False swearing;

2.

Conviction of a felony;

3.

Disbarment by Federal or State Court or Bar Association;

4.

Conduct unbecoming an officer of the Court;

5.

Failure to adhere to the provisions of the Law and Order Code or the
Rules of the Court; or

6.

Failure to meet the standards of knowledge and ability to represent a
client adequately.

B.
The Court may otherwise discipline a person admitted to practice before the
Court on the above grounds if it deems that disbarment or suspension is not warranted
under the circumstances.

3.2.500

LAW AND ORDER COMMITTEE

3.2.502

Establishment

The Law and Order Committee is hereby established as a standing committee of the
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.

3.2.504

Membership

A.
The Law and Order Committee shall consist of five (5) Pyramid Lake Tribal
members who shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and a res ident of the Pyramid
Lake Indian Reservation for at least one (1) year prior to appointment to the Committee.
B.
At such time of a resignation or removal of a Committee member, a new
member will be appointed in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. The Tribal
Council shall select the Committee member from the list of interested individuals, following
the posting of the vacancy.

3.2.506

Power and Authority of the Law and Order Committee

The Law and Order Committee shall have the power and authority to:
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No. PL 082-19
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A.
Review and study law enforcement and judicial problems on the Reservation
in consultation with appropriate staff and to report its findings and recommendations
thereon to the Tribal Council;
B.
Review and make recommendations to the Tribal Council on Rules of Court
submitted by the Judges of the Court;
C.
Review and make recommendations to the Tribal Council on proposed
revisions to the Hunting and Fishing Regulations in consultation with appropriate staff;

D.
Review and make recommendations to the Tribal Council on General Orders of
the Tribal Police Department in consultation with appropriate staff;
E.
Review and make recommendations to the Tribal Council on proposed
revisions to the Law and Order Code in consultation with appropriate staff;
F.
Participate in the selection process of all Court personnel in accordance with
applicable hiring procedures;
G.

Participate in hearings on the removal of judges; and

H.
No individual Committee member may act on behalf of the Committee without
the express consent of the entire Committee.

3.2.508

Meetings

The Law and Order Committee shall meet monthly at a time and place on the
Reservation designated by the Committee Chairman. Meeting agendas will be prepared by
the Committee Secretary in consultation with the Committee Chairman and posted in all
public posting locations prior to the established meeting date.

3.2.510

Minutes

All minutes of Law and Order Committee meetings will be maintained and stored at
the Tribal Secretary's office, who may release approved meeting minutes upon request.
Confidential material shall not appear in the minutes.

3.2.600

RECORDS OF THE COURT

3.2.602

Court Files

A.
Except as expressly limited by this Code, the Court shall keep a record of all
proceedings of the Court for inspection by the public. These records shall be maintained and
stored by the Clerk of the Court under the supervision of the Court Administrator.
B.
Court records shall include title of the case, the names of the parties, the
pleadings filed in the case, the names and addresses of all witnesses, the date of the
hearing or trial, the name of the judge by whom the hearing or trial was conducted, the
findings of the court or jury and the judgment of the Court, together with any other
documents deemed to be of importance to the case.
C.
All written decisions of the Pyramid Lake Tribal Court of Appeals shall be filed
and made available for public inspection by the Clerk of the Court.
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D.
The Clerk of the Court shall electronically record all court proceedings. The
proceedings shall be identified by case number by the Clerk of the Court and kept for a
period of no less than five (5) years.
E.
The Court Administrator will ensure safe and to the extent possible,
permanent storage of all court orders. The copy of a record shall be made available to the
public upon written request submitted to the Court Administrator.
The person requesting a copy of the record of a court proceeding shall pay the costs
of preparing such recording, including the costs of transcribing electronically recorded
records of court proceedings . The Court Administrator shall be responsible for determining
the amount to be charged for preparing copies of court records and collecting the fees. Such
fees shall not exceed actual costs of reproduction. The Court Administrator will ensure that
all fees are posted and made available t.o the public at all times.
F.
Records of all juvenile proceedings shall not be open to the public for
inspection. Such records shall only be available to authorized law enforcement personnel
and the juvenile's parents or legal guardian upon written request submitted to the Court.
G.
Archival Records. The Court Administrator shall cause court records to be
archived in a permanent, appropriate and cost-effective manner for retrieval.

3.2.604

Expungement of Criminal Records

A.
Except as otherwise provided in this Code, a person may petition the Court
for sealing of all records relating to a conviction in the Court of:

1.

A Class A Offense after fifteen (15) years from the date of final payment
of all fines or the date of release from actual custody or discharge from
parole and probation, whichever occurs later;

2.

A Class B Offense, after twelve (12) years from the date of final
payment of all fines or the date of release from actual custody or
discharge from parole or probation, whichever occurs later;

3.

A Class C Offense, after seven (7) years from the date of final payment
of all fines or the date of release from actual custody or discharge from
parole or probation, whichever occurs later;

4.

A Class D and E Offense, after seven (7) years from the date of final
payment of all fines or the date of release from actual custody or
discharge from probation, whichever occurs later;

5.

For a violation of a battery that constitutes domestic violence, after
seven (7) years from the date of final payment of all fines or the date of
release from actual custody or from the date when the person is no
longer under a suspended sentence, whichever occurs later.

B.
A petition filed under this Section must be accompanied by current, verified
records of the petitioner's criminal history received from:

1.

The Central Reposito ry for Nevada Records of Criminal History; and

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No . PL 082 - 19
Chapter 2/Page 11

2.

The local law enforcement agency of the city or county in which the
conviction was entered.

The petition must include a list of any other public or private agency, company,
official or other custodian of records that is reasonably known to the petitioner to have
possession of records of the conviction and to whom the order to seal records, if issued, will
be directed.
The petition must include information that, to the best knowledge and belief of the
petitioner, accurately and completely identifies the records to be sealed.
C.
Upon receiving a petition pursuant to this Section, the Court shall notify Tribal
Police that arrested the petitioner for the crime, the Prosecutor and any person having
relevant evidence that may testify and present evidence at the hearings on the petition.
D.
If, after the hearing, the Court finds that, in the period prescribed in this
Section, the petitioner has not been charged with any offense for which the charges are
pending or convicted of any offense, except for minor moving or standing traffic violations,
the Court may order sealed all records of the conviction which are in the custody of the
Court.
E.
A person may not petition the Court to seal records relating to a conviction of
a crime against a child or a sexual offense.
F.
A person whose petition is denied under this Section may petition for a
rehearing not sooner than two (2) years after the denial of the previous petition and no
person may petition for more than two (2) hearings.
G.
Where the Court orders the sealing of a record pursuant to this Section, the
petitioner must send a copy of the order to the Central Repository for Nevada Records of
Criminal History, and each public or private company, agency or official named in the order,
and that person shall seal the records in his or her custody which relate to the matters
contained in the order, and shall advise the Court of compliance and shall then seal the
order.
H.
If the Court orders a record sealed pursuant to this Section, all proceedings
recounted in the record are deemed never to have occurred, and the person to whom the
order pertains may properly answer accordingly to any inquiry, including without hesitation,
any inquiry relating to an application for employment, concerning the arrest, conviction,
dismissal or acquittal and the events and proceedings relating to the arrest, conviction,
dismissal or acquittal.

Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe - Law and Order Code Approved September 20, 2019; Resolution No. PL 082-19
Chapter 2/Page 12

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Apyramid_lake%3Ae86b39d82e058790. Public record. Not legal advice.
