Civil Defense in Tribal Court 

MILS attorneys will provide civil representation to members of federally acknowledged/recognized tribes in tribal court if court appointed counsel is not available to the client. After taking into account program resources, MILS staff will provide assistance in the following matters:

• juvenile delinquency

• banishment

• civil infractions (fishing violations, etc)

• evictions

• garnishment

• abuse and neglect and related child welfare matters

MILS staff will also provide representation in cases of loss of essential services or major impairment of substantial interests.

MILS will not provide representation in tribal court in the following matters:

• divorce cases

• custody disputes between parents

• employment disputes

• cases involving termination of employment

• paternity matters

Note that nothing in the description of this priority is intended to amend the MILS Indian v Indian policy including the part of that policy that prevents the representation of one individual Indian against another.