Page 12 - Tribal Court Law and Justice Booklet

Tulalip Court Elder’s Panel

Elders of the Tribes volunteer their time to sit on the Elder’s Panel. Panel
members include Donald C. “Penoke” Hatch Jr., Bill Topash, Eleanor M.
Nielsen, Virginia “Ginie” Carpenter, Hank Williams, Sharon Mark and
Maureen Alexander. The Panel meets at the Court every two weeks to
meet with young (18–25 years old), first-time, non-violent offenders who
have been charged with minor criminal offenses.
Participation in the Elder’s Panel is voluntary by the offender. If the
offender successfully completes the one-year requirements imposed by
the Elder’s Panel, the offender’s charges will be dismissed in Court.
The Elder’s Panel may require: regular appearances before the Panel;
writing letters of apology; community service; substance abuse
treatment; impose curfews; UA’s; research of family history, spiritual
activity (not necessarily religious); anger management classes; mental
health evaluations; and no new law violations.
Tribal Court’s previous Chief Judge Bass referred more than 65 young
people to the Panel in the last nine years of which fewer than 10 percent
have returned to the court system.

The WSBA Board of Governors searches statewide for noteworthy
programs that have made substantial contributions to their communities,
such as the Tulalip Tribal Court Elder’s Panel.*
Most often these awards go to lawyers, but in special circumstances,
this recognition is bestowed upon non-lawyers. Congratulations to the
important work of the Tulalip Tribal Court Elder’s Panel for their civic
contributions to this community, and our young adults.

* Tulalip Tribal Court Elder’s Panel were honored by the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)
for the Local Heroes Award July 24, 2009.

12