Pueblo of Laguna

Judicial Services

Physical Location:

31 Rodeo Drive, Laguna, New Mexico

 

Mailing Address:

Laguna Pueblo Court , PO Box 194, Old Laguna, NM 87026

Phone: (505) 552-1900
Fax: (505) 552-7186

 

E-Filings:

clerks@pol-nsn.gov
*When e-filing, please include in subject line CASE NUMBER and/or ATTN: (Clerk’s name or traffic, civil, criminal, juvenile clerk)

Court Staff:

Vacant,  Chief Judge

Eddie Gomez, Acting Chief Judge

William Johnson, Pro Tem Judge

Karen Aragon, Court Administrator

Vacant, Legal Assistant

Deborah Cheromiah, Administrative Assistant II

Victoria Day, Bailiff/Court Process Server (505) 552-1906

Court Clerks can be reached at these numbers:

Janice Garcia, Criminal Clerk (505) 552-1908

Tina Miller, Civil Clerk (505) 552-1902

Meredith Y. Rodriguez, CNC Clerk (505) 552-1910

Tamara McCowen, Traffic Clerk (505) 552-1911

 

Prosecutors Office:

Chelsea Vandeventer, Chief Prosecutor

Lemuel Martinez, Associate Prosecutor

Michelle Ray, Victims Advocate

Karleen Jose- Administrative Assistant II, Prosecution office

Public Defenders Office:

(Located at the Public Works Building)

Diego Urbina, Public Defender

Diane K. Kie, Legal Assistant

Office (505) 552-1229

Cell (505)220-1990

 

 

Probation / Parole Department:

Name
Position
Phone Number
Christopher Witt Probation Manager 505-552-1917
Michele Lucero Administrative Assistant- Probation/Parole 505-552-1941
Marilyn Joe Juvenile Probation Officer 505-552-1916
Elizabeth Martinez Juvenile Probation Officer 505-552-1918
Thomasina Leon Adult Probation Officer 505-552-1915
Christine Sisneros Adult Probation Ofc. & W/C Coord. 505-552-1942
Walter Johnson, Jr. Compliance Officer 505-552-1943

Scope of Work:

The Pueblo of Laguna Court is the Judicial branch of the Pueblo of Laguna government. The Pueblo Court has jurisdiction over Civil and Criminal matters as they pertain to Laguna Tribal members and those non-tribal members who reside upon or enter the land of the Pueblo. The Pueblo Court consists of Civil, Criminal, Traffic and a Community Wellness Court. The Public Defender, the Prosecutor and Probation and Parole Services, are also under the umbrella of the Laguna Court/Judicial Branch.
The Pueblo Court hears all civil matters filed including but not limited to traffic, wildlife, trespass, probate, tort, commercial, debt, housing evictions and arrearages, paternity, legal separations, custody and support, adoptions, Laguna Social Services’ families in need of services, and child abuse and neglect matters under the Laguna Children’s Code and Indian Child Welfare Act cases.
The Court has concurrent criminal jurisdiction with the United States over major crimes and hears all matters under the Pueblo of Laguna Code. The criminal docket consists of arraignments, motion hearings, trials on the merits, sentencing hearings, probation review and revocation hearings, and parole request hearings.
The Public Defender provides legal defense services to defendants in criminal actions. The Prosecutor provides prosecution services on behalf of the Pueblo of Laguna in criminal actions. Probation and Parole Services are responsible for the monitoring of defendants who have been adjudicated in the Court and are either on probation or parole.
Mission: In accordance with the Constitution of the Pueblo of Laguna, the Pueblo of Laguna Judicial branch exercises its judicial powers in a professional, respectful, fair manner that recognizes tribal customs and traditions and protects tribal sovereignty while promoting community safety, open communication and justice.


IMPORTANT NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC:

 

Resuming In-Person Hearings

Revised In Person Court Protocols June 17, 2022

Effective June 20, 2022, the Tribal Courts will continue with in-person hearings for all Criminal and Civil matters, now including traffic, animal control, wildlife and trespass. This notice supersedes the previous notice issued on April 15, 2022. In order to keep community members and Court staff safe, the following will be in effect:

  1. Masking requirements will continue to be enforced. Per the Pueblo of Laguna’s Executive Order No. 7 issued on May 10, 2022, section 10, “­Visitors to Pueblo Government Facilities. Pueblo government buildings and facilities shall be open according to rules instituted by each department. People are encouraged to call ahead to determine any COVID-19 requirements for visiting.” Masking requirements will be as follows:
  •  An individual who is not vaccinated or who cannot provide proof of vaccination will be required to wear a KN-95 and face shield upon entry into the Courtroom.
  • An individual who is “fully vaccinated1”, if two weeks have passed since they received all the initial doses (primary series) of a COVD-19 vaccine, will be required to wear a KN-95 mask upon entry into the Courtroom.
  • An individual who is “up to date1” on their vaccinations, received all the recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster doses when they are eligible, will be required to wear a surgical mask upon entry into the Courtroom.

Cloth masks are not acceptable. Surgical and KN95 are available on a limited basis. If you are able to provide your own, please do so. Face shields will also be provided by the Courts.

  1. All individuals appearing in person must possess and provide their COVID-19 vaccination card before entry into the building. A picture of your vaccination card that provides proof of vaccinations is sufficient to fulfill this requirement.
  2. All individuals will be screened upon entry. Your temperature will be taken and recorded, a series of questions will be asked and contact information (name and telephone number or email address) must be provided for contact tracing purposes and. Your contact information will be kept confidential.
  3. Only the persons named in the petition Defendants (Criminal Court), Petitioner and Respondent (Civil Court), attorneys and designated court staff will be allowed to enter the building and Courtroom. If you wish to have other individuals attend your hearing, you must file a motion with the Court two weeks prior to your hearing. Your motion will be reviewed taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis.
  4. Once your hearing is completed, we request all parties to immediately vacate the courtroom for sanitization purposes before the next hearing.
  5. All other Court matters not scheduled for a hearing will continue to be addressed at the main entrance by Court staff.

Petitions and court documents are available on the Pueblo of Laguna website. Please reference website for updated Court information. Your cooperation and continued patience is appreciated. Should you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Court.

 

General Information:

Court Hours: 8:00 a.m through 4:30 p.m (Court Clerk’s Office open during lunch), Monday – Friday

Notary Services:

Notary services are to be made by appointment only, below are there dates & times of their availability:

Deborah Cheromiah Ph# 552-1900 / Email Deborah
Available Days:
Monday thru Friday: 8am-4:30pm

Janice Garcia  Ph# 552-1908 / Email Janice
Available Days:
Monday thru Friday: 8am-4:30pm

Karleen Jose   Ph# 552-1912 / Email Karleen
Available Days:
Monday: 8am-12pm
Tuesday: 8am-4:30pm
Wednesday: 8am-4:30pm
Thursday: 8am-4:30pm

Diane K. Kie  Ph# 552-1229 / Email Diane
Available Days:
Monday: 8am-4:30pm
Wednesday: 8am-4:30pm
Thursday: 8am-4:30pm

Docket Schedule:

Mondays & Thursdays – Criminal case hearings (all day)
Tuesdays- Civil case hearings (all day) included is W/C
Wednesdays- Civil and/or Civil Juvenile cases 
Fridays – Civil Traffic, trespass and Animal Control hearings in the morning.
Acceptance of Payments: No payment will be accepted without the case number and party’s name. Payments must be made by money order or cashier’s check. The Court no longer accepts payments for child support, legal separation, civil payments to creditors and other costs awarded to parties in civil cases.
Service of process in civil cases: Whenever a person/party to a case files a petition, motion, or other pleading (document) with the Court, the person filing the document must include a certification that a copy of the document was mailed to the opposing party.
Court staff  CANNOT provide legal advice: The Court Clerks, Judges, Administrative Assistant, Bailiff/Process Server and Court Administrator cannot provide legal advice to anyone. A list of attorneys & advocates who are licensed to practice in the Pueblo of Laguna Courts is available at the Clerks window or you can click on 2022 POL Approved attorneys (see below). The attorneys on the list are not affiliated with the Laguna Pueblo Courts.


Updated Attorneys List 2023

Attorney Information: The Permission to Practice form can be retrieved from the POL Municode, Title V Judiciary; Ch 3.- Admission, Practice & Discipline of Attorneys & Advocates.

Attorney Application

You can mail applications to POL Tribal Secretary’s office, PO Box 194, Laguna, NM 87026 / PH: 552-6654.

Courtroom Rules & Protocols

  • NO shorts, tank tops, cut offs, or any other type of revealing clothing allowed. You will be asked to wait outside the courtroom or will be required to change your clothes.
  • No clothing that violates Executive Order No. 1-2010 or any laws of the Pueblo of Laguna.
  • NO food or beverages
  • NO children allowed unless the Judge has permitted their appearance.
  • NO CELLPHONES unless used as evidence during your hearing (i.e. picture, voicemail or text message).
  • NO hats/caps or sunglasses shall be worn inside courtroom.
  • NO GUM CHEWING.
  • NO talking unless you are addressing the Judge or testifying as a witness.
  • NO contact with inmates if present in courtroom. This includes hand gestures, eye contact or verbal. If contact is made, YOU will be escorted from the courtroom.
Remain seated until you are called to the podium by the judge.

If your hearing requires photocopies that need to be given to the judge please inform the court bailiff or Court Clerk PRIOR to your hearing so that court hearings are not disrupted (i.e. proof of registration/insurance, receipts or medical records.)

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM THE COURT CLERKS OF YOUR CURRENT PHYSICAL RESIDENCE AND POSTAL ADDRESS.
IF YOU ARE PETITIONING TO HAVE SOMEONE BROUGHT TO COURT (SUMMONED), IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE CURRENT RESIDENCE OF THAT INDIVIDUAL AND INFORM THE COURT CLERKS SO THAT PROPER NOTIFICATION MAY BE MADE.

General Court Forms

ATTENTION:

BY ORDER OF THE COURT, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 25, 2021,
THE DAILY DEADLINE FOR FILING COURT AND CASE DOCUMENTS WILL BE 3:30 PM 
THIS IS TO INSURE DOCUMENTS ARE PROCESSED ACCURATELY AND ON A TIMELY MANNER. TO VIEW THE ORDER, CLICK ON 
Any new filings can be submitted through mail:
Laguna Tribal Court
P.O. Box 194
Laguna, NM 87026
If filing a new Petition, please include the $6.00 filing fee in the form of Money Order or Cashier’s Check.
Civil and Criminal Motions can be emailed to clerks@pol-nsn.gov
Please indicate court case number.
ALL Motions do not require a $6.00 filing fee.
$

Criminal Motion

$

Civil Motion

$

Motion for Continuance

$

Background Request Form

There is a processing fee of $5.00 (M.O / Cashiers Chk) for Tribal Members or $10.00 (M.O / Cashiers Chk) for Non-Tribal Members.

POL Driving Permit Application (for Adults)

Probate Petition

Civil Complaint

Petition for Visitation

Petition for Change of Name and/or Correction of Name on Birth Certificate (Adult)

Petition to Establish Paternity for Blood Quantum

Petition for Appointment of Guardian for an Incapacitated Person

Petition for Legal Separation

Petition for Change of Name of Minor Child

Petition to Establish Paternity

Petition for Custody

Petition for Child Support

Petition for Adoption

Petition for Appointment of Guardian

Petition for Order of Protection from Domestic Abuse

Petition for Temporary Restraining Order