Q: What are the Courts’ hours of operation?
A:  Monday through Friday, except for holidays (see Holidays)
8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Q: What are acceptable forms of payment for fines, court costs, and bonds?
A:  Money orders or cashier’s checks are accepted. We do not accept cash or personal checks.

Q: When can payments be made?
A:  Payments can be made during regular business hours.

Q: What payments can be made on weekends?
A:  Bond payments can be made on Sunday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., provided an inmate requests to be released on a bond. The request must be made to the BIA Correctional Staff before 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. Acceptable forms of payment are money orders or cashier’s checks only.

Q: What is a protection order?
A:  Hopi Tribal Ordinance 50 protects intimate partners and persons related by clan or family from all forms of abuse and violence. It also preserves the family, clan traditions, and culture by emphasizing respect for oneself and one’s family, clan, and others. Ordinance 50 is also called the Family Relations Ordinance of the Hopi Tribe.

Intimate partners or family members who have been subjected to abuse and/or violence may obtain legal and support services from the Hopi Domestic Violence Prevention Program at (928) 738-1115.

Q: What is a restraining order?
A: To prevent injury to a person or loss of property, not involving members of a family, clan or intimate partners in violence or abuse situations, a temporary restraining order may be issued with or without notice to an adverse party to prevent him or her from carrying out an act which may be injurious, harmful, or which could result in the loss of property.

A temporary restraining order may be obtained by filing a verified complaint (petition) and an affidavit that immediate and irreparable injury, loss or damage will result to the applicant before notice can be served and a hearing held. Hopi Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedures, Rule 34

The person seeking the order may employ an attorney or legal counsel for assistance, or he or she may do so without legal assistance or representation. A $20 filing fee is required.

Q: What is proper attire for the courtroom?
A:  Attire should be casual, but respectful of the court. Do not wear tops with spaghetti or halter straps, tank tops, sheer blouses, short skirts, short pants, hats, caps, or t-shirts with inappropriate language or logos.

Q: What is prohibited in the courtroom?
A:  Food and beverages are not allowed in the courtroom. Absolutely no cell phones are permitted. Children under 12 are not permitted unless they are required to appear for a court hearing.

Q: How do I request a copy of recorded court proceedings or documents?
A:  A written request for a copy of recorded court proceedings (such as testimony or hearings) should be submitted to the Court Clerk's Office. The request should include the names of the involved parties, the date of the hearing, and the case number. You will need to provide a blank CD-R (recordable CD). Recordings are free.

When requesting copies of court documents (such as judgments or written statements), submit a written request to the Court Clerks’ Office with the specific name of the document. The request should include the names of the involved parties, the date of the hearing, and the case number. Cost is .20 per page. All certified copies are .50 per document.

All juvenile records are confidential and will only be released to the following parties:

• The minor and/or his counsel
• The minor’s parent(s), guardian or custodian(s), and/or their counsel
• The juvenile probation officer
• The presenting officer
• The law enforcement officer
• Child Protective Services
• The Children’s Court judge
• The guardian ad litem
• The Hopi Behavioral Health Service therapist providing treatment to the minor
• The Hopi Tribal Social Services worker providing case management to the minor 

 Hopi Ordinance 35, Chapter 3, Section E

Q: What is jury duty?
A: Jury duty is the civic duty to appear in court when summoned to hear the facts of a case, if selected as a juror, and enter a verdict of guilty or not guilty for a peer who has requested a trial by a jury. Jurors are summoned based on information provided by the Office of Hopi Enrollment, it is important that your information is kept up-to-date. Please contact the Office of Hopi Enrollment at (928) 734-3154 with any questions.

A jury consists of six men and/or women who are selected according to law and sworn to inquire of certain matters of fact and declare the truth based upon evidence that is presented to them. To qualify as a juror one must be an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe, be over the age of 21, have resided on the Hopi Reservation for the past 90 days, and not be convicted of any felony charges.

Q: Who is exempt (excused) from jury duty?
A:  You will be excused if you meet one of the following conditions:

• You are 60 years of age or older.
• You are not an enrolled member of the Hopi Indian Tribe.
• You are under 21 years of age. You will need to provide your date of birth.
• You have not lived on the Hopi Indian Reservation for the past 90 days. You will need to provide the place where you currently reside.
• You have been convicted of a felony crime in federal or state court. You will need to provide the name of the court, the name of the offense(s), and the date of conviction.
• You are the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, or a council representative of the Hopi Tribe.
• You are a Hopi Tribal Judge (Appellate Court, Trial Court, or Children’s Court)
• You work for a Tribal or Federal Police Department. You will need to provide your employer’s name and your job title.

Q: How do I request a background check?
A:  A written request must be submitted to the Court Clerk’s office with the individual’s full name, including any aliases and former names used, date of birth, and social security number. Any agency requesting information on a minor will need signed consent from the minor’s parent or guardian.

Q: Who are the notaries within the Keams Canyon area? To locate an Arizona notary, visit   www.azsos.gov/business_services/notary/.

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