Court

It is the goal of the Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma to foster a strong and stable Tribal Government so we can exercise our authority as a sovereign nation/ to upgrade the current court services by expanding its caseload consistently each year to meet the needs of tribal members and other Native Americans within the tribal jurisdiction. The Absentee Shawnee Tribal Court consist of three Supreme Court Justices, 2 District Court Judges, 1 Special Judge and two Alternate Supreme/District Court Judges.

The District Court is scheduled two times monthly and is able to respond to emergency situations. The Supreme Court is called into session when necessary and upon the filing of an appeal.

The Absentee Shawnee Tribal Court handles civil, criminal, Indian Child Welfare matters, and juvenile matters.  The Court provides a limited selection of sample forms to assist pro se litigants for many civil actions, such as divorce, guardianship, custody and judgments. The Absentee Shawnee Tribal Court also provides Marriage Licenses.

A limited selection of sample forms are available below or in the Court Clerk's office. All filings will need to be typed at the time of filing. A list of Court Fees is listed below, and in the Court Clerk's office. For all documents that are filed a Contact Sheet, which is located below or in the Court Clerk's office, is required. 

The Court Clerk's Office is not allowed to advise you on what to write on your pleadings. If you need assistance in filling it out. You may need to consult with or seek an attorney. You can contact Legal Aid or Oklahoma Indian Legal Services for assistance, but you must meet their criteria to receive assistance. 

The Court Clerk's office does not provide court order's for any case unless ordered by the Judge. You are responsible for any and all pleadings and pleading's provided in the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Court kiosk are the pleadings offered by the Court Clerk's office. If you are seeking additional pleadings not provided please contact an attorney.

All cases must be paid for when filing. The Absentee Shawnee Tribe accepts money orders made out to the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. 

A contact sheet must be filed with each case. It is up to you to notify the court of any address changes. 

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• Accept filings prepared by the attorney or parties
• Explain general information on the court process and procedure
• Encourage self-represented parties to consult an attorney for legal advice
• Provide court forms and written instructions
• Provide docketed case information
• Provide resource material
• Give you information on a court case, unless restricted by law
• Provide you with your court file to review, unless restricted by law

• Advise you whether you should file a case or whether you should take any particular action in a case
• Advise you what forms may be necessary in specific situations
• Recommend what you should do in a case
• Conduct legal research for you
• Help you prepare or type court documents
• They cannot tell you what a judge might do
• They cannot tell you what to say in court
• Talk to the judge for you
• Let you talk to the judge in private
• They cannot explain judicial decisions
• They cannot correct errors in your court documents
• They cannot change an order issued by a judge
• Provide you contact information for another party
• Provide legal advise