Mission Statement

The mission of the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court is to provide fair, impartial, and timely justice through the faithful application of Tribal law, promoting public safety, protecting individual rights, and upholding tribal sovereignty.

About the Court

The Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court is a fundamental institution of tribal government and an exercise of the tribe's inherent sovereignty. The Court provides a fair, independent, and impartial forum for the resolution of disputes and the enforcement of tribal law.

The Tribal Court operates within a two-tier judicial system consisting of a Trial Court and an Appellate Court. The Trial Court was originally established in 1977 and currently operates under Chapter 80 of the Tribal Code. The Tribal Appellate Court was established under Chapter 82 of the Tribal Code and has exclusive jurisdiction to review decisions of the Tribal Court.

The jurisdiction of the Tribal Court is established by the Tribal Code and subsequent enactments of the Board of Directors.

Violence Against Women Act Jurisdiction

In 2016, the Board of Directors amended Chapter 70 of the Tribal Code to implement Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction (SDVCJ) under the Violence Against Women Act. These amendments affirm the tribe's authority to prosecute certain domestic violence, dating violence, and violations of protection orders occurring within tribal jurisdiction, regardless of whether the defendant is Indian or non-Indian.

Jurisdiction

The Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court exercises jurisdiction over criminal, civil, child welfare, juvenile, housing, guardianship, traffic, conservation, and other matters authorized by tribal law. These matters include, but are not limited to, criminal offenses, child welfare proceedings, juvenile delinquency matters, adoptions, guardianships, landlord-tenant disputes, personal protection orders, traffic offenses, civil actions, tort claims, garnishments, enforcement of foreign judgments, workers' compensation claims, and conservation violations.

Court Personnel

Hon. Caroline LaPorte
Chief Judge

Joshua Mayer
Court Administrator/Magistrate

Amber Lemon
Deputy Clerk

Trisha Knauf
Deputy Clerk

Bri Abramson
Probation Officer

Contact Information

Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court
2175 Shunk Road
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Telephone: 906‑635‑4963
Facsimile: 906‑635‑4952

Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Excluding Court Holidays and Special Events

Clerk's Office

All filings, scheduling requests, payments, case inquiries, records requests, and other communications should be directed to the Clerk's Office using the contact information above.

The Clerk's Office can provide information regarding court procedures, scheduling, filings, and public records. Court personnel cannot provide legal advice, interpret the law for litigants, recommend legal strategies, or predict the outcome of any matter.

Commitment to Justice

The Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribal Court is committed to the fair and impartial administration of justice and the equal application of Tribal law to all persons appearing before the Court.