The Suquamish Tribal Court extended its modified operations until at least May 15 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Court is striving to address the needs of the community, while taking every precaution to keep community members healthy and prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” reads an updated Emergency Administrative Order, signed by Chief Judge Cindy K. Smith on April 30.

As part of the order, all criminal cases and jury trials are delayed until the court resumes normal operations, tentatively slated for May 18. This date, however, may be extended depending on the status of the public health emergency.

Meanwhile, all civil and child welfare cases have been rescheduled to June 2020.

The Court continues to be available “to hear all matters of an urgent nature, including requests for all types of protection orders and emergency child welfare orders.”

Any hearings will continue to be conducted via video teleconference.

Questions should be sent to the court clerks at suquamishcourt@suquamish.nsn.us or by calling (360) 394-8697.

The full order can viewed here.

The Suquamish Tribal Court issued an Emergency Administrative Order this week that all court-ordered payment plans are now suspended through April and May.

“The Court is striving to address the needs of the community, while taking every precaution to keep community members healthy and prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” reads the order, signed by Chief Judge Cindy K. Smith on April 20. “Due to the pandemic, many people are not able to work and may be facing financial hardships.”

The order adds that those who had recently fallen behind on fishing fine payments, but were current as of March 1, will now be deemed current and will be able to obtain a sticker from the Court to show they are eligible to fish.

Those who were not current on their fishing fine payments as of March 1 are still not eligible to fish. However, Tribal members who get their payments up to date through March will be then be eligible.

The order also makes clear that the suspension of payments does not effect that total amount owed.

For more information email suquamishcourt@suquamish.nsn.us or call (360) 394-8697.

The full Emergency Order can be viewed here.

Important Notice on Tribal-supplied Water and Sewer
From Suquamish Community Development Utilities Office

Wipes & paper towels clog the sewer! We are all using more cleaning supplies in response to the COVID-19 Stay Home – Stay Healthy Order. High demand of disinfectant wipes and low supply of toilet paper has created a sanitation challenge. Please discard ALL paper towels, wipes, and personal hygiene products in the trash, not the toilet. This includes all items marketed as flushable or disposable.  These items clog sewer lines and pumps.

Only toilet paper is safe to flush.  If you are served by a Tribally-operated sewer system and observe an alarm, please call 360-979-0109.

Water Supply— Residents may experience periodic discolored water and/or low pressure during this period of high residential demand. If you are supplied by a Tribally-operated system and experience sustained color and/or a significant drop in water pressure, please call 360-979-0109.