CHAPTER 15 - TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
Section 15-1 Traffic Violations Generally
15-1.01 Purpose. The purposes of this Chapter are to ensure that:
(a) The public roadways within the Reservation are safe and that operators of motor vehicles have
reasonable rules and standards which govern their driving in order to protect the health and
safety of Tribal members and other persons on the Spokane Indian Reservation;
(b) Those persons who violate the rules of conduct of this Chapter while operating a motor vehicle
are deterred from violating rules in the future; and,
(c) Those persons who violate the rules of conduct of this Chapter pay the expenses incurred by the
Spokane Tribe in enforcing this Chapter.
15-1.02 Findings.
(a) Hundreds of motorists traverse the Spokane Indian Reservation on a daily basis.
(b) This high volume of traffic necessarily has a direct effect on the health and welfare of Spokane
Tribal members and all persons on the Spokane Indian Reservation.
(c) Regulation of those traveling through Spokane Tribal territory is historically and traditionally
based.
(1) For example, such travelers traditionally were approached and confronted about their
purpose for entering Tribal territory.
(2) If their purpose was deemed a threat to the health and welfare of the Spokane people,
and therefore “unlawful,” they were either escorted out of the territory or were
otherwise dealt with accordingly.
(d) Due to changes in travel mode by way of motor vehicles, the Tribe’s traditional regulation of
travel has shifted its focus from the purpose of the travel to the method of the travel.
(e) This code embodies the Tribe’s traditional values to address contemporary needs.
(f) A civil traffic code enforced by the appropriate law enforcement authority that is applicable to all
motorists who operate vehicles within the Spokane Indian Reservation will play a direct role in
ensuring that vehicles are operated within the Reservation in a safe manner and will accordingly
protect Tribal members and all residents of, and persons traveling on, the Spokane Indian
Reservation.
15-1.03 Jurisdiction. The Spokane Tribe shall exercise the maximum personal, subject matter, and territorial
jurisdiction permissible by law over the highways and roadways within the exterior boundaries of the
Spokane Indian Reservation and on the lands under the jurisdiction of the Spokane Tribe.
Legislative History-Enacted 4/7/00, Resolu. 2000-179; Readopted 8/01/06, Resolu. 2006-524.
15-1.04 Explanation of Privilege. The operation of a vehicle on the Spokane Indian Reservation is a privilege
that may be granted, denied, suspended, or revoked by the Spokane Tribe.
15-1.05 Enforcement.
(a) The provisions of this Chapter shall be enforced by all duly commissioned police officers.
(b) Any enforcement officer commissioned by the Tribe shall, upon request, produce evidence of his
or her commission.
15-1.06 Violations. Violations of this Chapter, both civil and criminal, shall be heard in the Tribal Court for
the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and any fines levied as a result of convictions upon such violations shall be
paid to the Tribal Court.
15-1.07 Means of Exercising Jurisdiction. In exercising its jurisdiction over traffic infractions, if a process is
not specified under this Chapter, the Tribal Court may adopt any suitable process consistent with the
purposes of this Chapter and in harmony with the spirit of due process and Spokane Tribal law.
15-1.08 Occupational Driver’s license.
(a) Any Indian whose driver’s license has been suspended by the Spokane Tribal Court or the State
of Washington may request from the Tribal Court an occupational driver’s license.
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Revised Spokane Law & Order Code, 5/14/2013