 Tribal Court
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribal Court is to fully implement the constitutional delegation of general jurisdiction judicial power from the people of the Band consistent with self-determination and the sovereign powers of the Nation.
Goals:
- To develop a judicial system which meets the judicial needs of both the tribal community and its government.
- To provide a forum for the resolution of all disputes under tribal law arising in law and equity.
- To provide due process and equal protection to all persons.
- To promote Tribal self-government, community development and the human potential of all persons.
- To develop judicial institutions and judicial tools which reflect the Band’s culture, traditions and values.
Contact Information:
NHBP Tribal Court
2221 1-1/2 Mile Road
Fulton, MI 49052
Phone: 269-729-5151
Fax: 269-729-5920
Requirements for Practicing Before Tribal Courts:
Every attorney who proposes to practice before the Courts of the Tribe must be duly admitted. Any attorney, who is admitted to practice in any state and who is in good standing, is eligible for admission. Each applicant for admission must complete an Application for Admission, Oath of Admission, and pay the Admission to Practice Fee.
Schedule of Court Fees:
Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Court Rules:
Pursuant to Administrative Order 08-001CJ referenced below, the Tribal Court has adopted the State of Michigan Court Rules for Practice, Procedure and Evidence until such time as the Tribal Court adopts its own Rules for Practice, Procedure and Evidence.
Administrative Orders:
Court Opinions:
- 07-002-CV [Capitano v. Tribal Council]: Decision on Defendant's Motion to Dismiss
In this civil action, a Tribal member challenged Tribal Council’s practice of election its own executive officers. The Court ruled that the Tribal Constitution “…contains a broad delegation of power to Tribal Council,” and that there is no “…express restriction in the Tribal Constitution on the power of Tribal Council to elect its own Executive Officers.” The Tribal Court’s conclusion was: “The Tribal Council has the constitutional authority to elect its own Executive Officers. Such election does not infringe upon any reserved rights of the people. In fact, such election provides a common sense form of government.”
Chief Judge:
Michael Petoskey
I am a Grand Traverse Band member and licensed Michigan attorney. I was the Chief Judge for my Tribe for over fourteen (14) years until retirement from the position. I recently was sworn in as the Chief Judge of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribe. I am also Chief Judge of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, Associate Justice of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan Court of Appeals and Chief Appellate Court Judge of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Appellate Court.
In 2000 I was honored by the American Indian Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan with the Section’s annual “Tecumseh Peacekeeping Award” for leadership in moving Michigan state courts and tribal courts away from conflict toward cooperation.
I received my undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in Economics in 1975 and my Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico in 1983. I am a Vietnam veteran having served as an infantry medic.
Contact Information:
Michael Petoskey
Chief Judge
Court Administrator:
R. Scott Ryder
I have recently been selected for the position of Court Administrator. I am an attorney licensed to practice in Michigan since 1975. I began my legal career as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Shiawassee County handling a wide variety of civil and criminal cases with an emphasis on the juvenile court. In 1979 I was appointed to the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Court. In the 25 years I served in that position I presided over more than 20,000 cases involving neglected and delinquent children and divorce and custody matters.
For the last 2 ½ years I have been the juvenile court administrator for St. Joseph county Michigan. I have been on adjunct assistant professor at Western Michigan University and an instructor at Glenn Oaks Community College teaching courses in Criminal Law and Procedure and Juvenile Justice. I have co-authored a college level text book titled “Juvenile Justice: A Social, Historical, and Legal Perspective.” I am married and my wife Denise and I live in Kalamazoo with our stepdaughter. I also have 3 grown sons.
Contact Information:
R. Scott Ryder
Court Administrator
269-729-5151
sryder@nhbpi.com
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