Address:
6103 31st Ave NE
Tulalip, WA 98271
(Driving Directions)

Phone: 360-716-4773

Links:
Ordinance 049 –  Law & Order Code 

Tribal Court Elder's Panel

Recognized by the Washington State Bar Association for the Local Hero's Award of 2009

Seven members of the Tulalip Tribal Court's Elder's Panel were honored by the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) for the Local Hero's Award on Fri., July 24th in a ceremony at the Tulalip Resort Hotel.

Elder's of the Tribe volunteer their time to sit on the Elder's Panel. Panel members include: Donald C. Hatch, Jr., Lee Topash, Virginia A. Carpenter, Arthur H. Williams, Sr., Eleanor M. Nielsen, Katherine M. Monger, and William G. Shelton.

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.

The Panel meets at the Court every 2 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 Judge Bass has referred more than 40 young people to the Panel in the last three years of which fewer than ten percent have returned to the court system. Congratulations to the important work of the Tulalip Tribal Court Elder's Panel for their civic contributions to this community, and our young adults.

Current members of the Tulalip Elder's Panel as of 2010, are:

  • Donald C. Hatch, Jr.
  • Lee Topash
  • Arthur H. Williams, Sr.
  • Eleanor M. Nielsen
  • Kathrine M. Monger
  • William G. Shelton

Virginia Carpenter retired from the Panel in Feb. of 2010.