Tribal Court Orders Suspension in Payments

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 [email protected] or call (360) 394-8697.

The full Emergency Order can be viewed here.