The sovereign Navajo Nation has the powers to make laws, execute its laws, and apply and enforce its laws. The Navajo Nation courts make up the Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation. The Judicial Branch is one of three branches of the Navajo Nation government. The other two branches are the Legislative Branch, made up of the Navajo Nation Council, and the Executive Branch, headed by the President of the Navajo Nation. The Judicial Branch operates as an equal to the other two branches.
Cases begin in the trial courts.
Appeals of trial court decisions are made to the Navajo Nation Supreme Court, which is located in Window Rock, Arizona. Individuals have their rights protected and claims settled fairly in the Navajo court. The Navajo courts handle over 90,000 cases a year. The Navajo Nation courts consist of seven judicial districts. Each judicial district has a district court and five of the seven districts have a separate family court.