The Muckleshoot Tribal Court administers the law pursuant to the Muckleshoot Code of Laws and subsequent Ordinances for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, its community, its people, and all persons, property, resources, and territories subject to its jurisdiction.

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Legal Aid Clinic

In addition to administering the court system, the Muckleshoot Tribe also provides advice-only Legal Aid Clinic services to eligible Tribal and Community members. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Muckleshoot Tribal Court at (253) 294-8182.

Please note: As of January 2024, the Legal Aid Clinic has moved to 39015-K 172nd Ave SE (where HR was previously located)

Tribal Court Probation

Muckleshoot Tribal Probation supervises defendants on probation, including regular check-ins, drug/alcohol testing, investigations to determine compliance, compliance checks, completing reports to the court and attending hearings. Probation further assist in formulating and implementing alternative sentencing and/or sanctions to confinement. Probation works with other Tribal programs and departments in regards to clients under the jurisdiction of Tribal Court, coordinating with other programs regarding treatment, employment, education, community service and cultural activities. Probation also sits on the Wellness Court Team. (Probation Officer Darren Taylor, Probation Officer Trainee Anthony Boyd Jr. and Lead Probation Officer Jolene Agostini)

Process Service

Serving legal documents for Tribal Court for Criminal matters, Exclusions, Elder Protection Orders, Domestic Violence Protection Orders. A process server’s primary job is to deliver legal documents to a party named in a legal action. The purpose is to provide notice that the legal action has begun and/or that documents have been filed in the case. The average amount of tribal orders served by probation per year average 150-200. (Lead Probation Officer Jolene Agostini and Probation Officer Trainee Anthony Boyd Jr.)

Nuisance Investigator

Investigate properties with regard to the Tribe’s Nuisance Ordinance violations. Working with the Community Safety Team, Local Law Enforcement, Code Enforcement, the community and the Prosecutor’s Office for compliance and or corrective action through the courts. Investigate, write reports and testify at court hearings. Providing local resource information such as shelters, programing, transportation, clothing, food, and complete treatment outreach referrals as needed during the ongoing investigation. Listening to community members concerns and work together to find a solution. The purpose of the Nuisance Code is to prioritize the promotion of health, safety and the well-being of the Muckleshoot community on the Reservation, as well as the preservation and protection of the environment.

In 2023 we have investigated and worked with 14 Nuisance Properties. (Lead Probation Officer Jolene Agostini and Probation Officer Trainee Anthony Boyd Jr.)

Healing to Wellness Court

This court will seek to reduce alcohol and other drug abuse and recidivism among our nonviolent offenders who come before the tribal court. In order for us to accomplish this we will implement judicial intervention, supervision, treatment, Substance use Disorder treatment as well as Mental Health counseling. Some of our functions will include:

• Completing intake assessments;
• Combining the information obtained during the intake and assessment process with decisions made in the case;
• Coordinating between the court, the treatment community, the educational institutions and other community agencies. All will respond, as needed, to the needs of the participant, his/her family and the court;
• Providing active and continuous judicial supervision of a participant’s progress in the various program components;
• Using incentives to recognize a participant’s progress in his/her treatment and using sanctions for noncompliance;
• Focusing on the overall functioning of the participant throughout the Wellness Court program, in order to encourage and teach positive decision-making as a part of a healthy lifestyle;
• Reducing recidivism by developing individualized treatment plans and monitoring a participant’s progress while in the program; and
• Using family support systems to encourage personal accountability.