Welcome to the Nez Perce Tribe Revised Code (“NPTrC”)
This page is currently under construction. (See Resolution NP 22-212 passed by the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee (“NPTEC”)).
Qe’ciyew’yew’ (Thank you) for your patience. The NPTrC is a living document of the statutes adopted by the NPTEC and is updated/amended as necessary.
This page contains the NPTrC, emergency amendments, and proposed amendments. Currently, the NPTrC consists of 13 titles.
From time to time, the NPTEC amends the statutes of the Nez Perce Tribe (“Tribe”). The Tribe makes every effort to ensure that the statutes on this page are updated promptly as they are amended. It is the responsibility of the user to confirm that a given statute is current. Questions regarding the Tribal Code may be directed to the Tribe’s Office of Legal Counsel, 208-843-7355.
Proposed Amendments – includes deadlines for comment period:
Proposed amendments to the Nez Perce Tribe Revised Code, to comply with the Violence Against Women Act — specifically Title 1, Title 2, and Title 4 listed below (Comments due by 4:30 pm, September 18, 2024):
Emergency Amendments:
- Notice of Amendments to the Nez Perce Tribal Code (posted on 10/23/2024)
- Title 2 Rules of Criminal Procedure, Chapter 2.10 Criminal Procedures. Specifically:
Recent Amendments:
On October 1, 2024, the Nez Perce Tribe (“Tribe”) implements criminal jurisdiction provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (“VAWA 2022”) as authorized by United States Congress.
VAWA 2022 allows Tribes to exercise Special Tribal Criminal Jurisdiction (“STCJ”) within reservation boundaries over non-Indians for specific “covered crimes.” These include assault of Tribal justice personnel, child violence, dating violence, domestic violence, obstruction of justice, sexual violence, sex trafficking, stalking, and criminal violations of protection orders. With the exception of crimes involving assault on tribal justice personnel or obstruction of justice, the Tribe may only exercise STCJ if the victim of the crime is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
VAWA 2022 jurisdiction will enhance the safety of victims within the exterior boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation, hold perpetrators of violence accountable, and protect the rights of the accused.
- NPTEC adopted Resolution NP 24-506 on September 24, 2024.
- Title 1 General Provisions (specifically amendments in Ch. 1-1 Administration of Tribal Court; Section 1-1-11 Original Jurisdiction; Section 1-1-12 Personal Jurisdiction; and Chapter 1-1 Administration of Tribal Court – Section 1-1-26 Jurors)
- Ch. 2.10 Criminal Procedures (specifically amendments in Section 2.10.003 Jurisdiction)
- Title 2 Rules of Procedure (specifically amendments in Ch. 2-4 Juvenile Justice – Section 2-4-2 Personal Jurisdiction)
- Title 4 Criminal Code
Public Notice on Proposed Fish and Wildlife Code Revision:
During the Law & Order Intergovernmental Subcommittee on August 5, 2024, there was a discussion of the Fish and Wildlife Code and the proposed amendments that were posted for public comment. The Law & Order Subcommittee came to the concurrence to begin the code revision process again; however, this time as a piece by piece project so that it is easier for tribal members to follow and provide comment to the proposed drafted section.
The current code is still in effect and to be enforced. The proposed revisions to this title will not be approved at this time. For questions or comments please reach out to the Law & Order Subcommittee Chairman at NPTEC@nezperce.org.