District Court

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Mission Statement

“The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma District Court is to fully implement the inherent powers of the Sovereign Nation by adhering to the Tribe’s Constitution and Tribal Law and Order Code. Thus, allowing the District Court to provide a just, efficient, impartial and responsive judicial system that honors, protects, and serves the rights and liberties of all who come before it.”

Government operations of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma is strengthened by the enhancement of its programs through tribal legislative and judicial methods which is an ongoing process. Its judicial capabilities are empowered by the successful operation of the Tribe’s court system. By administering its own judicial system, speedy and impartial adjudication of violations of tribal law and the resolution of civil disputes are handled accordingly in a court of law.

The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma first established and operated its tribal court system through an inter-tribal agreement with a neighboring tribe in 1987. In 1992, the Iowas assumed complete operation of its Tribal Court and physically relocated Court from the inter-tribal location to the Iowa Tribal Headquarters in Perkins, Oklahoma.

Tribal Court is a court of general jurisdiction and administers its law and order in civil, criminal and juvenile matters. The Tribe’s judicial authority is based upon its Constitution and its Tribal Law and Order Code.

Court staff consists of Tribal District Court Chief Judge Robert Don Gifford (Cherokee); Tribal Prosecutor, Trevor Hammons (Cherokee); Public Defender, Greg Dark, and the Court Administrator Patricia Roe, who also serves as the Court Clerk. The Iowa Tribe Supreme Court is made up of Justice Lisa B. Otipoby-Herbert (Comanche), Justice Kennis M. Bellmard (Kaw), and Chief Justice Gregory H. Bigler (Muscogee-Creek).

THE DISTRICT COURT NOW ACCEPTS CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS, WITH AN ADDITIONAL SERVICE FEE OF .3% PLUS 0.15¢ PER ITEM.