Source: http://ho-chunknation.com/government/judiciary/faqs.aspx
Timestamp: 2017-02-27 15:47:01
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FAQs | Ho-Chunk NationFAQs | Ho-Chunk Nation Search
How many separate courts operate in the
What is the role of the Traditional
What is the role of the Trial Court?
type of cases can the Judiciary adjudicate?
Judiciary hear cases alleging a violation of state statutory or
Does state case law serve as
binding precedent upon the Trial Court?
What is the role of the judicial
staff attorney?
file a case in Trial Court?
What are the fees and costs
associated with initiating and maintaining an action in the
Can one seek a waiver of the filing
Can one seek expedited
consideration of an initial pleading?
How does one file a motion in Trial
consideration of a motion?
pleading and a motion?
Can one appear at a judicial proceeding by
How long does the Trial Court have to
enter a decision?
How does an attorney or lay advocate
seek admission to the Ho-Chunk Nation Bar?
How does one appeal an administrative
decision issued by an Executive Branch agency, e.g., Grievance
Review Board and Gaming Commission?
Can one intercept tribal per
capita monies for purposes of satisfying a state or other tribal
Can the Trial Court enter a child
support order in the first instance?
Can one intercept tribal per capita
monies for purposes of satisfying an individual debt?
Can one receive a divorce in the Trial
Can the Trial Court probate an
The Judiciary is one of four branches of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a
federally recognized sovereign Indian tribe. See 72
Fed. Reg. 13648 (Mar. 22, 2007); see also Constitution of
the Ho-Chunk Nation, art. III.
The Judiciary is charged with the interpretation and application
of tribal laws by the Ho-Chunk Nation General
Council. See Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, art. IV, § 2.
How many separate courts
operate in the Judiciary?
The Judiciary is comprised of three courts: Traditional
Court, Supreme Court and Trial Court. Each occupies a
separately defined sphere, and exercises varying degrees of
authority. See Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, art. VII, § 1; see also Ho-Chunk Nation
Judiciary Establishment & Organization Act, 1 HCC §
1.3. Back to Top
The Traditional Court may adjudicate matters brought voluntarily
by both parties to a dispute. See Ho-Chunk Nation
1.12; see also Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil Procedure,
Rule 70. The Traditional Court may also articulate
custom and tradition, which subsequently may form the basis for the
Trial Court's exercise of subject matter jurisdiction over a case
or controversy. See Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, art. VII, § 5(a); see also In the
Interest of Pauline B. Mike v. Loylee B. Mike et al., CV 99-42
(HCN Tr. Ct., July 23, 1999). In addition, the Traditional
Court serves as an accessible and invaluable fount of knowledge for
the other branches of tribal government and external governmental
and private agencies. Back to Top
What is the role of the Supreme
The Supreme Court presides over appeals of Trial Court
decisions. See Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, art. VII, § 7(a), 14; see also Ho-Chunk
Nation Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rule 7. The Supreme
Court also possesses authority to create rules for the
Judiciary. See Constitution of the Ho-Chunk Nation,
art. VII, § 7(b); see also Ho-Chunk Nation
1.5d. Back to Top
What is the role of the Trial
The Trial Court presides over primarily civil causes of action
initiated by the filing of an initial
pleading. See Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, art. VII, § 6; see also Ho-Chunk Nation
Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 3. Back to Top What
"The Trial Court shall have original jurisdiction over all cases
and controversies, both criminal and civil, in law or in equity,
arising under the Constitution, laws, customs and traditions of the
Ho-Chunk Nation . . . ." Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, art. VII, § 5(a) see also Ho-Chunk Nation
Judiciary Establishment & Organization Act, 1 HCC § 1.4.
Back to Top Can the
No. The subject matter jurisdiction of the Judiciary is
limited to sources of tribal law, including tribal common law
derived and developed from the Traditional Court's articulation of
tradition and custom. Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, Art. VII, § 5(a);see also Ho-Chunk Nation v.
Harry Steindorf et al., SU 00-04 (HCN S. Ct., Sept. 29,
Back to Top Does
state case law serve as binding precedent upon the Trial Court?
No. Only decisions by the Supreme Court possess binding
precedential authority on matters of tribal law. Otherwise,
the Trial Court must attempt to remain consistent in its
adjudication of similar cases and
controversies. See Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation,Art. VII, § 7(c) see also Jacob Lonetree et al.
v. Robert Funmaker, Jr. et al., SU 00-16 (HCN S. Ct., Mar. 16,
2001). However, state case law may serve as persuasive
role of the judicial staff attorney?
The staff attorneys are employees of the Judiciary, and,
therefore, cannot provide legal advice or representation for
members of the public. Staff attorneys may assist the public
with procedural inquiries and may guide individuals to other
judicial resources. Tribal members may contact
the Indian Law Office of Wisconsin Judicare, Inc. at
(800) 472-1638 for independent legal assistance. The Ho-Chunk
Nation Legislature maintains a contract with this entity for
provision of legal services to tribal members.
Back to Top How does one
An individual may file an initial pleading with judicial
administrative staff, and the Trial Court will accept the filing
provided that it contains the five component parts of a
complaint. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil
Procedure, Rule 3(A). The Trial Court
maintains several boilerplate pleading forms for the
convenience of the public. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of
Civil Procedure, Rule 81. The Trial Court will serve the
document upon the opposing party. See Ho-Chunk Nation
Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 5(A). Back to Top What are the
fees and costs associated with initiating and maintaining an action
in the Judiciary?
The Supreme Court periodically establishes the cost and fee
structure for the Judiciary. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of
Civil Procedure, App. I. The Trial Court filing fee is
$50.00. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil Procedure,
Rule 4(B). The filing fee for recognition and
enforcement of foreign orders, including child support orders,
is $20.00. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil
Procedure, App. I.
Back to Top Can one seek a waiver of the
The Supreme Court and Trial Court may waive the filing fee upon
presentation of either aMotion for Fee
Waiver or Affidavit and Order to Waive Fees and
Costs, respectively. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of
Appellate Procedure, Rule 9(b); Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil
Procedure, Rule 4(C).
Back to Top Can one
seek expedited (faster) consideration of an initial pleading?
Under limited circumstances, the Trial Court may enter
an Emergency Order on the basis of an initial
pleading. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil
Procedure, Rule 60(A). However, generally the Trial Court will
afford the responding party twenty (20) calendar days from the
issuance of a summons to file a responsive pleading. See
Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 6(A). Alternatively, a motion may accompany an initial pleading, and the
motion process advances under a diminished
timeframe. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil Procedure,
Rules 18-20. The Judiciary has also recognized the ability to
seek a preliminary injunction, adopting the prevailing federal
four-prong test. See Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, Art. VII, § 6(a); see also Coalition for
Fair Gov't II v. Chloris A. Lowe, Jr. et al., SU
96-02 (HCN S. Ct., July 1, 1996).
Back to Top How does one file
a motion in Trial Court?
Apart from the filing of the initial pleading, parties must file
all other documents with the Trial Court and upon one
another. Consequently, a Certificate of
Service must accompany each
filing. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil
Procedure, Rule 5(B). Parties may accomplish service by
regular mail, and accordingly must inform the Court and all other
parties of any change of address. See Ho-Chunk Nation
Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 5(C)(3). Back to Top Can one
seek expedited (faster) consideration of a motion?
Yes. A Motion for Expedited Consideration must
accompany the motion, and the moving party must satisfy the
two-prong test identified in the relevant
rule. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil Procedure,
Rule 19(C).
the difference between a pleading and a motion?
An initial or responsive pleading typically takes the form of a
complaint, petition or answer, and usually occurs at the beginning
of an action. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil
Procedure, Rules 3, 6. A motion is simply a request, and
may be presented in conjunction with or following the filing of a
pleading. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil Procedure,
Back to Top Can one appear at a judicial
proceeding by telephone?
Yes. The requesting party, however, must file a motion to
appear by telephone. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of
Rule 18. Otherwise, the Court will likely refuse to
permit the telephonic appearance. See In re:
Telephonic Appearances, Admin. 07-02(HCN Tr. Ct., Feb. 28,
Back to Top How long does the Trial
Court have to enter a decision?
Pursuant to Supreme Court administrative rule, the Trial Court
must enter interlocutory and final decisions within at least three
months after final presentation of the matter to the presiding
judge. See In the Matter of Timely Issuance of
Decisions, SU 05-01 (HCN S. Ct., Apr. 9, 2005).
Back to Top How does an
attorney or lay advocate seek admission to the Ho-Chunk Nation
Legal counsel must contact the Supreme Court Clerk of Court at
(800) 434-4070, and subsequently comply with the adopted admission
requirements. See Rules for Admission to
Practice. Alternatively, legal counsel may seek
permission to appear on a single occasion in the Trial Court by
filing an Ex Parte Motion, Affidavit, and Order to Appear Pro
Hac Vice. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil
Procedure, Rule 16(C). Back to Top How does one
appeal an administrative decision issued by an Executive Branch
agency, e.g., Grievance Review Board and Gaming Commission?
The appealing party must file a Petition for Administrative
Review with the Trial Court, and direct copies to the other
identified parties. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of
Civil Procedure, Rule 63(A-B). Consequently,
a Certificate of Service must accompany the
filing. See Ho-Chunk Nation Rules of Civil Procedure,
Rules 5(B), 63(C).
Back to Top Can one intercept tribal per
Yes. Contact the Ho-Chunk Nation Child Support Agency for
more information. (715) 284-7690
Back to Top Can the Trial
Court enter a child support order in the first instance?
Yes. The Trial Court can enter a child support order in the
first instance in a child support case, divorce, or paterntity
action. Contact the Ho-Chunk Nation Child Support Agency for more
information. (715) 284-7690
intercept tribal per capita monies for purposes of satisfying an
individual debt?
No, with five exceptions. The Ho-Chunk Nation Legislature
has identified five potential claims against a tribal member's per
capita payments. See Claims Against Per Capita
Ordinance, 2 HCC § 8.5a. One such claim involves a debt
owed to a Ho-Chunk Nation elder. See Elder
Protection Act of 2001, 4 HCC § 1.5i, 25a(6).
Back to Top Can one receive a divorce in
Yes. The Court may address a divorce with or without minor
children. Back to Top Can the Trial Court probate
No. The Ho-Chunk Nation Legislature has not yet adopted a
probate code, resulting in a lack of subject matter jurisdiction
over this concern. See Constitution of the Ho-Chunk
Nation, Art. VII, § 5(a); see also Ho-Chunk
Nation Judiciary Establishment & Organization Act, 1 HCC §
Ho-Chunk Nation Trial Court.
Copyright © 2006 [Ho-Chunk Nation Judiciary]. All rights
Revised: 06/26/07.