Supreme Court Justice

The Pawnee Nation Supreme Court may hear appeals resulting from all final orders or judgments rendered by the District Court, appeals of other orders of the District Court subject to interlocutory appeal by law, and such original actions as may be provided by tribal law, and shall render its decision in writing to the parties of interest, files a copy thereof in the Supreme Court Clerk’s office and at the time of filing submit a copy to the official reporter of the decisions of the Court. The decision of the Supreme Court shall be final and binding upon the parties.

To be eligible for selection or confirmation as a Justice of the Supreme Court, a person shall:
a)
Be either
1. Enrolled member of the Pawnee Nation
2. The parent, child, or spouse of an enrolled member
3. Actually domiciled within the territorial jurisdiction of the Pawnee Nation
4. An attorney, or
5. A lay advocate who has regularly practiced before the court as a member of the Bar of the Court for a period of seven (7) years
6. A graduate of an American Bar Association approved Law School, or a Paralegal program approved by the Supreme Court; and
b) have demonstrated moral integrity and fairness in business, public and private life, and c) have never been convicted of a felony or an offense punishable by banishment or involving moral turpitude, whether or not actually imprisoned or banished, and have not been convicted of any offense, except traffic offenses, for a period of five years preceding the appointment. The five-year period shall begin to run from the date the person was unconditionally released from supervision of any sort as a result of a conviction. d) have regularly abstained from the excessive use of alcohol and any use whatsoever of illegal drugs or psycho toxic chemical solvents. e) be not less than thirty (30) years of age f) not a member of the Tribal Legislative Body, or the holder of any other elective Tribal Office of this Tribe, provided, that a candidate who is a member of the Tribal Legislative Body, or the holder of some other elective Tribal Office, may be confirmed as a justice subject to his/her resignation. Upon resignation from his/her elected Tribal Office, he/she may be sworn in and assume the duties of judicial office. g) if less than fifty (50) years of age, have completed at least sixty (60) semester credit hours at an accredited college or university, or at least four years of previous experience as a Judicial Officer for a recognized court.
All Justices of the Supreme Court shall serve six (6) year terms of office beginning from the date of their confirmation and until their successors take office, unless removed for cause, or by death or resignation.

Duties and Powers of Justices:
a) All Justices of the Supreme Court, unless disqualified for conflict of interest or other cause, shall participate in the deliberations of that body and shall have the duty and power to conduct all court proceedings and issue all orders and papers incident thereto, in order to administer justice in all the matters within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. In doing so the Supreme Court shall:
b) Be responsible for creating and maintaining rules of the Court not contrary to the Tribal Constitution or Code, regulating conduct in the Supreme and District Courts to provide for the orderly and efficient administration of justice and the administration of the Courts. Such rules shall determine, where not otherwise provided by law, what actions be taken by a single Justice of the Court and shall be filed with the Clerk of the Court.
c) Hear appeals from the District Court at a designated time and place
d) Enter all appropriate orders and judgments.
e) Keep all appropriate records as may be required.
f) Perform all other duties as may be required for the operation of the Supreme Court and the District Court.
g) Supervise the actions of the District Court and all Clerks, Reporters, Bailiffs, and other officers of the Courts.
h) Perform any of the duties and powers of a District Judge in appropriate cases.

Compensation is $450 per Supreme Court Meeting.