Version 0.1 · October 16, 2026 · First verified learning edition
By Steven Bullcoming Haworth | Truth in Focus Records Room
What this is: An easy-to-read starting guide to the Northern Cheyenne Law and Order Code. The main PDF was adopted June 2, 2025, and says it took effect October 1, 2025. This page is a map of the subjects, not an explanation of every law and penalty.
Read the 2025 revised Law and Order Code (235-page PDF). The Tribe’s Judicial documents page has additional code materials.
First: What is a code?
A code is a group of laws put in order. Each title covers a subject. A section is a smaller rule with a number. When someone says a law gives them power, ask: Which title and section?
What the 2025 Code PDF contains
Title I: General provisions
These are starting rules for the code. They explain where the Code gets its authority, how to read its words, tribal sovereignty, and important civil rights. Section 1.1.3 says the Code and its amendments must be available to inspect at the Court Clerk’s office and online. Section 1.1.4 describes rights including speech, religion, fair treatment, and protections in criminal cases. Some criminal cases have extra rights to a lawyer at tribal expense; those conditions must be checked closely.
In simple words: This part tells what the Code is, some rights people have, and how the rules should be read.
Title II: Northern Cheyenne Judicial Branch
This title sets up the Trial Court, Appellate Court, Constitutional Court, and Court Clerk’s Office. It explains what cases different courts may hear, appeal procedures, and rules involving judges. The 2025 organization is different from the older 1998 code.
In simple words: It explains what the courts do and how court cases can be reviewed.
Title III: Juvenile Code
This title covers matters involving children, including care, safety, reports of abuse or neglect, hearings and family-related procedures. Section 3.1.3 contains rules about reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.
In simple words: It explains how tribal law handles certain cases involving children.
Title IV: Civil procedure and civil code
A civil case is a court matter that is not a criminal prosecution. This title explains steps for starting and handling civil cases, and other civil-law topics. Courts also have rules about which claims may be brought and when.
In simple words: It describes rules for a dispute that goes to civil court.
Title V: Rules of criminal procedure
This title covers the steps used when a person is charged with a crime: complaints, hearings, rights before trial, trials and what may happen afterward.
In simple words: It explains how a criminal case is supposed to move through court.
Title VI: Rules of evidence
Evidence is information presented to help show what happened. This title covers witnesses, records, and which evidence can be considered. Section 6.1.2 says Northern Cheyenne custom and tradition may be used as evidence. It also sets conditions for relying on established custom over a conflicting evidence procedure, and calls for the court to explain its choice.
In simple words: The court has rules for deciding what information it can use. Knowledge of Northern Cheyenne traditions can matter in court, but the full rule and its conditions must be read.
Title VII: Criminal offenses
This title describes criminal offenses, possible defenses, and rules about proof. It includes laws about harm to people, property, public safety, government activities, traffic and other subjects. Section 7.1.3 says the Tribe must prove each part of a criminal offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
In simple words: This is where many rules about crimes are found. Never rely on a short summary to decide whether conduct is illegal or what sentence applies.
Title VIII: Domestic relations
This title covers family-law topics such as marriage, separation, divorce, adoption, care of children, guardianship and parentage. Some provisions may raise questions about interaction with federal or other controlling law.
In simple words: It explains some of the rules courts use in family matters.
Title X: Judicial conduct
This title sets standards for judges’ conduct, including fairness and proper behavior. We will build a separate guide on judicial independence, conflicts of interest and the steps for raising concerns, using the exact rules.
In simple words: Judges also have rules they must follow.
What is missing from this particular PDF?
The linked 235-page 2025 PDF includes Titles I through VIII and X. We did not find full Titles IX (Heirship and Probate) or XI (Property/Landlord-Tenant) within that same PDF. The Tribe lists a separate Probate Code on its Judicial page. Older versions of those titles also exist, but we have not yet confirmed one complete, up-to-date collection for both.
We are not calling a draft, an older edition, or an AI-made outline current law without checking it. Election ordinances and later amendments also need a separate review.
Five useful words
- Constitution: The main rules for how the government works.
- Ordinance: A law adopted using the Tribe’s lawmaking process.
- Jurisdiction: A court’s legal power to hear a case.
- Due process: The fair steps the law requires before certain decisions are made.
- Appeal: Asking a court with review power to examine another court’s decision.
Next updates
Future editions will explain individual sections more fully, add plain-language examples, identify the version and source of each rule, and note when something still needs legal or cultural review. A separate page will cover the traditional chiefs and Council of Forty-Four using historical sources and knowledgeable Northern Cheyenne voices; that history should not be confused with a ruling about modern constitutional office.
Educational information only, not legal advice. The controlling documents, valid amendments and applicable court decisions govern actual cases.