DMR.1.3.010 Children's Court Division

There is hereby established a Children's Court Division of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Court exercising jurisdiction pursuant to this ordinance as follows:

(a) The chief judge and any associate judges of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Court shall serve as judges of the Children's Court. Any magistrate of the Tribal Court shall serve as magistrate of the Children's Court with such powers as are provided in Chapter TCT.2 and in this ordinance.

(b) All child welfare proceedings of the Children's Court shall be designated as "In the interest of . . . , a minor."

(c) All petitions under this ordinance shall be filed with the Children's Court. Petitions shall include the child's name, date of birth, parents' names, parents' last known addresses, and names and addresses of all other affected persons, if known.

(d) In the event that a child welfare proceeding is transferred to the Children's Court from any other Court, the Children's Court shall require conformity with the substantive and procedural law of the Tribe, and shall permit amendment of pleadings and other actions necessary to effect jurisdiction over the child and for conformity with this ordinance.

(e) All hearings in the Children's Court shall be without a jury and all hearings shall be closed to the public. All proceedings shall be recorded electronically or verbatim by a licensed court reporter. The Children's Court Division may conduct hearings by telephone and may allow any party or witness to appear by telephone under such procedures as will best protect the rights of all parties.

(f) The Children's Court may receive hearsay evidence when the declarant is a child, provided that the evidence bears sufficient indication of reliability.

(g) Except as provided in Section DMR.1.5.060(g) of this ordinance, all records of the Children's Court shall be confidential and only affected persons shall have access.