3.05.080 Appearances.
(A) Counsel or Spokesperson.
(1) Counsel. Any party has a right to assistance of counsel at the party’s expense. Such assistance shall be arranged by the party.
(2) Spokesperson.
(a) Any party has a right to assistance of a spokesperson at the party’s expense. The spokesperson shall be required to comply with this chapter and rules adopted by the Tribal Court for the processing of cases.
(b) The Court shall not appoint counsel or a spokesperson for any party at the Tribe’s expense.
(c) The Court shall order appointment of a Court-appointed advocate for children to advocate for the best interest of the child in those cases deemed appropriate (see Article X of Chapter 10.10 KTC).
(B) Self-Representation. Any individual party may appear and represent himself or herself in any proceeding before the Tribal Court. Judges of the Tribal Court shall insure that all parties have equal opportunity to present their case and cross-examine opposing witnesses. Parties representing themselves shall be held to the same strict standards of procedural conduct as are required of legal counsel and spokespersons.
(C) Witnesses.
(1) Summons to Appear. A summons is a notice that a person or business has been sued, issued by the Tribal Court. It is a mandate calling a person or business before the Court to answer the claims or allegations made in a petition or complaint attached to the summons.
(2) Subpoenas. A subpoena is a document or writ issued under authority of the Court for service upon a witness to compel their appearance in court. On motion by any party to the case, or on the Tribal Court’s own motion, the Tribal Court shall issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of witnesses, or the production of books, records, documents, papers and things necessary to the determination of the cause. Failure to comply with a subpoena shall constitute contempt of court.
(3) Fees for Witnesses.
(a) Each party shall be responsible for his/her own witnesses and any witness fees.
(b) The Karuk Tribe or any of its departments, agencies, corporations and/or entities shall pay witnesses summoned on its behalf at the rate established by the Court. [Amended during 3/22 update; Res. 10-R-111 § 10.7, 9/30/2010.]