Meskwaki Tribal Court

Announcements

Iowa Legal Aid Clinic: Friday, Sept. 28 at 1:30pm - 4pm. FREE CLINIC at the Meskwaki Justice Center. Call to make an appointment 641-484-9300. Walk-ins are welcome but short wait times may occur. Income eligibility rules apply (income limits are based on 125% of the poverty level) - Call Iowa Legal Aid to see if you quality for this FREE service 1-800-532-1275 from 9am-11am and 1:30 - 3:30 pm Monday - Friday, except Thursday afternoons.

Age 60 and over? Call the Legal Hotline for Older Iowans at 1-800-992-8161 for help.

TRAFFIC CITATION?

Civil Traffic citations issued by Meskwaki Nation Police Depart are typically not filed in the Clerk's office right away and, therefore, the information from the citation will not show up immediately on CitePay USA. It may take 10 to 14 days for a citation to be entered in the Court database by the clerks, so check back frequently if you are trying to pay a citation on-line.

FILING A DOCUMENT?

If you need to file or drop off a document you may file it at the Court's front desk, or place it in the Black Drop Box located by the front door of the Justice Center, or email your pleadings to: clerk.court@meskwakicourt.org

HEARING COMING UP?

All Court Users are expected to appear in person for scheduled hearings in their case. If a party requests to appear remotely for a hearing they must complete a written form and send to the other parties in their case (or their attorneys) to allow them an opportunity to agree or object to the request. FORM TO USE: Go to top of this page to "Forms and Information", select "For the Public", and click to download and print "Motion for Remote Appearance".

UPCOMING OFFICE CLOSURES

Tribal Court will be CLOSED on the following holidays:

Oct. 9 - Indigenous Peoples Day
Nov. 10 - Veteran's Day
Nov. 23 - Thanksgiving
Dec. 22 - Christmas Eve (1/2 day, closing at Noon)
Dec. 25 - Christmas Day

Meskwaki Community Calendar

Photo Gallery

Iowa Legal Aid FREE LEGAL CLINIC

Call to make an appointment (641) 484-9300

Walk-ins welcome, short wait times

Income eligibility rules apply - Call Iowa Legal Aid to see if you qualify for this free service. Income limits are based on 125% of the poverty level: 1-800-532-1275 from 9am - 11am and 1:30 - 3:30 pm, Mon - Fri, except Thursday afternoon.

Age 60 or over? Call the Legal Hotline for Older

Community Service workers: Volunteer to help with Friday preps for the weekend food box distribution to home-bound Seniors. This activity COUNTS for those who want to do community service hours instead of paying cash for fines and fees due to criminal court charges in Tribal Court. Help the tribal community, get re-connected with relatives, and begin a journey on the healing path. See Tribal C

July 18, 2023

Univ. of Iowa "First Nations Summer Program" visits Tribal Court.

Chief Judge Jessica Bear and Chief Jeff Bunn of Meskwaki Nation Police Department presented information to the students.

Thanks to the University of Iowa for bringing the students and encouraging them to consider careers in community safety and justice!

Judge Bear and Chief Bunn field questions from students.

Community Service Options

Options Options

$10 credit for every confirmed hour done (can be applied to fines and court fees but NOT to jail costs).

Iowa Attorney General visits

Tribal Court on March 2, 2023

Left to Right:

Joy Mauskemo, Tribal Court Administrator

Brenna Bird, Iowa Atty General

Joshua Canterbury, Tribal Asst. AG

Jay Finch, Tribal Atty General

Jessica R. Bear, Chief Judge

Matt Larson, Iowa AG Communications

About Us

Meskwaki Tribal Court

The Tribal Court of the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa was established by Tribal Council Resolution No. 12-2004, enacted on June 9, 2004. This resolution created an integrated judicial department consisting of a court of appeals, a trial court, and such lower or intermediate courts as the Tribal Council deems necessary to resolve disputes. This section will help you learn more about the Meskwaki Tribal Court and its work.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Meskwaki Tribal Court to administer Justice according to laws that govern the Meskwaki Nation by exercising all judicial and dispute resolution powers of the Tribe.

Vision Statement

To discover and determine the truth; and to seek a resolution which restores balance to the community in accordance with the customs and traditions of the tribe, repairs relationships, results in fairness, and avoids principles of retribution and punishment.

Legal Disclaimer

Disclaimer

The information on this website is provided as a service to tribal members and other Internet users and is for your convenience only. Information may be changed or updated without notice. The information on this website includes primary legal resources such as statutes, rules of procedure, and downloadable forms. None of this information is legal advice. While Meskwaki Tribal Court has attempted to make the information contained herein as accurate as possible, information on this website may contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Please use the official printed documents for any and/or all legal work. The Meskwaki Tribal Court, its employees, and agents will not be responsible for any loss from the use of or reliance on the information contained on this site.

About Us