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Tribal Court & Peacegiving Court

TRIBAL COURT

Welcome to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians Tribal Court. The CTCLUSI Tribal Court upholds the Constitution of the Tribes, and seeks to promote the Tribal values of peace and restoration while providing a fair and impartial forum for the resolution of cases that come before it.

Court office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. and by appointment. Court hearings are 9:30 am Tuesdays through Thursdays. Other court proceedings are scheduled as needed. All dependency, juvenile, and Wellness court proceedings are closed to the public. All other matters are open to the public. The Court schedule is posted on the public information board in the main Administration lobby of the CTCLUSI administration building located at 1245 Fulton Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon.

While the CTCLUSI Tribal Court’s focus is on promptly and fairly hearing the cases that come before it, it is also engaged in strengthening relationships with other court systems in furtherance of collaboration and resource sharing. The Court is committed to professional and community education and outreach as well, providing independent educational programs and participating in continuing legal education programs state-wide and nationally.

In keeping with the CTCLUSI values of inclusion, peace, and restoration, the CTCLUSI Tribal Court, with the support and guidance of the community, has developed two problem-solving programs which are available, by agreement, to all parties who come before the court. These programs are Peacegiving Court, and Healing to Wellness Court. To participate in Healing to Wellness Court one must be involved in a civil or criminal court case in a tribal or state court. Peacegiving Court is available both when the parties are involved in a tribal or state court case and when the matter has not yet been filed or is not expected to be filed.  Peacegiving Court is a promising early intervention alternative and may assist parties to resolve matters before they are filed in court.

NOTICE: The following forms, instructions, and information will be available after review. Please check back soon.

Civil 1 - Complaint Instructions
Civil 2 - Plaintiff's Complaint Form
Civil 3 - Plaintiff's Exhibits
Civil 4 - Answer Instructions
Civil 5 - Answer Form
Civil 6 - Defendant's Exhibits
Order 1 - Establishing Court Days
Order 2 - Order Establishing Interest
Peacegiving Court Brochure 2016
Peacegiving Court Powerpoint slides
Transfer of Dispute to Peacegiving
Small Claims 1 - Information Sheet
Small Claims 2 - Plaintiff's Claim
Small Claims 3 - Plaintiff's Affidavit
Small Claims 4 - Notice to Defendant
Small Claims 5 - Answer of Defendant

Peacegiving Court

Peacegiving provides a voluntary dispute resolution alternative grounded in the Tribal traditions of inclusion, peace and healing.

     The Tribes created the Peacegiving Court on November 13, 2005, by Tribal Council Resolution 05-111. Its creation was the result of a thoughtful and thorough community development process led by the Tribes’ first Chief Judge, Donald O. Costello, which involved a diverse group of Tribal elders, leaders, and members. It has been in continuous existence since that time. Click here to view 20th Anniversary of Peacegiving article published in the November 2025 edition of The Voice of CLUSI paper.

     Peacegiving Court is a division of the Tribal Court and is subject to the supervision of the Chief Judge. Peacegiving is facilitated by Peacegivers. Peacegivers are Tribal members and tribal household members who have the respect of the tribal community and a reputation for honesty, integrity, and humanity, and a demonstrated practice for resolving local problems by means that honor tribal values. They have also successfully completed rigorous training and have passed a criminal background check which is renewed annually. As of October of 2024, there are currently __ active Peacegivers ready to serve. If you would like to volunteer to be a Peacegiver, or would like to nominate some to be a Peacegiver, please submit the application found here: Peacegiver Nomination Form

     Peacegiving Court is a significant alternative to adversarial, or advocacy based legal processes. Any type of dispute, including and especially those involving juveniles and the family, may be referred to Peacegiving Court by using the “Notice of Dispute and Request for Transfer of Dispute to Peacegiving” form. You may call the Peacegiving Court Coordinator for assistance.

Four Directions Peacegivers Necklace

Wellness Court

The CTCLUSI Wellness Court serves Tribal Members who are involved in legal or administrative disciplinary proceedings who may also struggle with substance abuse. Such persons may access the CTCLUSI Wellness Court by several difference avenues, including but not limited to self-referral, CTCLUSI Police citation, CTCLUSI Family Services, family service departments of other jurisdictions (state and tribal), on the CTCLUSI Tribe’s Motion or Petition, referral from the CTCLUSI Education and Housing Departments, collaboration with state court systems, and referral from state and/or tribal probation or community corrections departments.

Each Wellness Court case is managed by a team, which includes the Wellness Court Judge, the Wellness Court Case Manager, treatment providers, a CTCLUSI Police Officer, a Tribal Elder, the Tribal Presenting Officer, and the Tribal Defense Advocate. Additional team members may be included, depending on the participant’s needs. The Wellness Court Team works together to guide the progress of the participant in his or her recovery process, to provide support in areas where there may be personal or historic barriers, such as education, employment, and community and family life. The Wellness Court Team works in collaboration with the participant to hold the participant accountable to treatment goals and resolve the underlying legal matter, while providing culturally appropriate support tailored to address the specific needs of each individual.

Please bring your questions to the attention of Jennifer Stephens, the Wellness Court Case manager. She may be reached at the Tribal Court Office in Coos Bay in person, by phone at 541-888-1307 or Cell 541-808-8425, or by email at jstephens@ctclusi.org.

Any CTLCUSI Tribal Member, family member of a Tribal Member, or member of any other federally recognized Indian tribe may be eligible for participation in the CTCLUSI Wellness Court. If you know someone who is struggling with substance and having legal or administrative problems, you may use the form at the top of this webpage to refer them for consideration in this program.

The CTCLUSI Tribal Court handles the following subject matters:

             Adoptions

            Civil Actions

            Civil Rights

            Collections

            Contract Disputes

            Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

            Election Disputes

            Enrollment Appeals

            Eviction

             Juvenile Dependency

            Juvenile Delinquency

            Civil Offenses/Violations

           Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, and Shellfish                   Gathering

            Small Claims

            Tort Claims

            Worker’s Compensation

             Peacegiving

            Healing to Wellness           

Court of Appeals

All final orders or judgments of the CTCLUSI Tribal Court may be appealed to the CTCLUSI Tribal Court of Appeals.  CTCLUSI Tribal Code 10-16-02 provides as follows:

The jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals shall extend to all appeals from final orders and judgments of the Tribal Court (Court), and appeals of final administrative decisions where a provision of this Code expressly vests such jurisdiction in the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals shall review de novo all determinations of the Tribal Court on matters of law, but shall not set aside any factual determinations of the Tribal Court if such determinations are supported by substantial evidence.

More information about the Tribal Court of Appeals and its procedures may be found below.

 

Tribal Code 10-16-02 states that: The jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals shall extend to all appeals from final orders and judgments of the Tribal Court (Court), and appeals of final administrative decisions where a provision of this Code expressly vests such jurisdiction in the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals shall review de novo all determinations of the Tribal Court on matters of law, but shall not set aside any factual determinations of the Tribal Court if such determinations are supported by substantial evidence.

The Court of Appeals shall have jurisdiction:
(a)to take all necessary steps to preserve and protect the jurisdiction of the Court;
(b) during the pendency of any criminal appeal, to release the appellant on his own recognizance or on bail; and
(c) to make any order appropriate to preserve the status quo or to protect any ultimate judgment of the Court of Appeals.

1-16-10 COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES
1-16-11 Composition of Court of Appeals
The Tribal Council shall appoint a Chief Justice and two (2) Associate Justices to the Court of Appeals, none of whom shall be judges of the Tribal Court. The Judges empaneled for the Court of Appeals are:

  • Chief Justice Robert T. Anderson
  • Associate Justice Eric D. Eberhard
  • Associate Justice Michael Taylor

TRIBAL COURT STAFF

Karen L. Costello

Chief Judge

kcostello@ctclusi.org
1245 Fulton Avenue
Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

Tiffany Rose

Tribal Court Administrator and Outreach Coordinator

541-888-1316 (Main)
trose@ctclusi.org
1245 Fulton Avenue
Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

Jennifer Stephens

Case Manager/Resource Coordinator

541-888-1307 (Main)
jstephens@ctclusi.org
1245 Fulton Avenue
Coos Bay, Oregon 97420

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