A new law, effective July 1, allows Washington state and tribal law enforcement agencies to certify tribal court warrants as state warrants, improving coordination and accountability across jurisdictions.
Under the updated Tribal Warrants Act, passed this year as House Bill 1829, nontribal officers may arrest individuals named in certified tribal warrants and bring them to local courts for return to tribal jurisdiction, a news release from the Washington State Office of Attorney General Nick Brown stated.
“This new law is an example of the collaborative work between the state, counties, and tribes to uphold justice and public safety,” Attorney General Nick Brown said in the news release.
To receive certification, tribes must meet several criteria, including public access to criminal laws and records. Certified tribes must also affirm that tribal judges are licensed by the Washington State Bar Association.
“The Tribal Warrants Act is more than legislation—it is a promise that no matter where you live or who governs your community, you deserve justice, dignity and protection,” Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Anacortes, said in the release.
Tribes that are not certified must use a formal extradition process. These requests are subject to judicial review and do not carry the same authority as certified warrants.
A full list of certified tribes will be available online at shorturl.at/oqaFF.
