Location:
3031 Domres Road
Manistee, MI 49660
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contact
Phone: (231) 398-3406
Fax: (231) 398-3404
Email: tribalcourt@lrboi-nsn.gov
*All general requests and e-filings should be sent to this email
Court Staff
Spring Medacco, Court Administrator
springmedacco@lrboi-nsn.gov
Laurie Willis, Court Clerk
lauriewillis@lrboi-nsn.gov
Vacant, Court Clerk
Vacant, Peacemaking Coordinator/Probation Officer
Important Announcements:
SWEARING IN HELD:
Congratulations to Judge Caroline LaPorte on being re-elected as Tribal Court Associate Judge! Judge LaPorte was sworn in on June 11, 2025. Her new term will end in 2031.
MICHIGAN INDIAN LEGAL SERVICES ONLINE INTAKE
MILS now has an intake form that can be completed online. If you need legal assistance, check out the website at: https://map.tfaforms.net/f/apply
Job Postings:
We currently have an opening for a court clerk/recorder. Please see the below job posting if you are interested in joining our team!
LRBOI 2025 Holidays
The Tribal Court will be closed on the following days:
New Year’s Day: Observed Wednesday, January 1
LRBOI Treaty Recognition Day: Observed Friday, March 28
Memorial Day: Observed Monday, May 26
Independence Day: Observed Friday, July 4
Labor Day: Observed Monday, September 1
LRBOI Reaffirmation Day: Observed Monday, September 22
Veteran’s Day: Observed Tuesday, November 11
Thanksgiving: Observed Thursday, November 27 & Friday, November 28
Christmas Eve Day: Observed Wednesday, December 24, Closed Noon-5pm
Christmas Day: Observed Thursday, December 25
Tribal Court Judges
Caroline LaPorte, Associate Judge
Caroline LaPorte, J.D. (Immediate Descendant of LRBOI, Daughter of Jim LaPorte)
Caroline is a Texas Bar Licensed Attorney, a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, the Academic Department Head and Associate Professor of Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University, and a part time law and policy advisor to the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center. She is also a mother, a wife, a daughter, and a niece.
Her legal career has focused on Indian country, specifically child welfare, housing, human rights, and gender-based violence. She has been published by the American Bar Association, American Law Review and has worked on key federal legislation such as the Violence Against Women Act, the Not Invisible Act, and Savanna's Act.
Caroline was elected as the associate judge in 2021.
General Information
The Tribal Court office and courtroom are located in the Justice Center building. The Chief Judge and the Associate Judge hear all trial level cases. The Tribal Court can hear both civil and criminal matters involving Tribal members and entities. It not only adjudicates disputes and interprets tribal laws but also safeguards the rights and liberties of the Tribe's members as preserved in their Constitution. Article VI, Section 8 of the Constitution specifically outlines the duties of the Judicial branch, emphasizing its importance in the Tribe's governance and its commitment to justice and equity for all members.
The Tribal Court hears a variety of cases, including but not limited to:
- Civil Cases: divorce, child custody, property disputes
- Criminal Cases
- Child Neglect/Abuse cases
- Civil infractions and conservation violations
- Employment matters
- Probate Cases: estate matters, guardianships, and conservatorships
The Court can also:
- Issue personal protection orders (PPOs)
- Issue marriage licenses
- Register foreign judgments
- Provide Peacemaking services
The Tribal Court staff must remain neutral and impartial in all court cases, which is important in maintaining the integrity of the judicial process. While they cannot offer legal advice, they are able to assist with navigating court procedures and providing necessary forms to individuals.
TRIBAL COURT FEES:
TRIBAL COURT HEARINGS
Photography, recording or broadcasting of any hearing is strictly prohibited. (Rules of Civil Procedure, CR 4.015)
Effective January 31, 2025, ALL public hearings in the Tribal Court will be livestreamed pursuant to Administrative Order 2025-01. The livestream can be found at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@TribalCourt
Livestream recordings shall be posted until the end of the business day on which they occurred.
Hearings titled "Closed Hearings" are not available for public viewing and will not be livestreamed.
(The following case types shall be closed to the public: neglect/abuse, guardianships, conservatorships, employment, juvenile, emergency petitions for PPOs, judicial complaints, attorney complaints, and any other matters that are closed by law.)