Title 25, IndiansRelease 119-102

§3602 Definitions

Title 25 › CHAPTER 38 — INDIAN TRIBAL JUSTICE SUPPORT › § 3602

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key words used in this chapter. Bureau is the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior. Courts of Indian Offenses are the courts under part 11 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations. Indian tribe means any organized Indian group (including Alaska Native groups) that runs justice and is eligible for federal Indian programs. Judicial personnel are judges and other court staff, officers, or volunteers. Office is the Office of Tribal Justice Support; Secretary is the Secretary of the Interior. Tribal organization is defined in section 5304(l). Tribal justice system means the tribe’s full judicial branch, including traditional forums, lower and appeals courts, other ways to settle disputes, and circuit rider systems.

Full Legal Text

Title 25, §3602

Indians, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

For purposes of this chapter:

(1)The term “Bureau” means the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the Department of the Interior.

(2)The term “Courts of Indian Offenses” means the courts established pursuant to part 11 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations.

(3)The term “Indian tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native entity, which administers justice under its inherent authority or the authority of the United States and which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indian tribes because of their status as Indians.

(4)The term “judicial personnel” means any judge, magistrate, court counselor, court clerk, court administrator, bailiff, probation officer, officer of the court, dispute resolution facilitator, or other official, employee, or volunteer within the tribal justice system.

(5)The term “Office” means the Office of Tribal Justice Support within the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

(6)The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Interior.

(7)The term “tribal organization” means any organization defined in section 5304(l) of this title.

(8)The term “tribal justice system” means the entire judicial branch, and employees thereof, of an Indian tribe, including (but not limited to) traditional methods and forums for dispute resolution, lower courts, appellate courts (including intertribal appellate courts), alternative dispute resolution systems, and circuit rider systems, established by inherent tribal authority whether or not they constitute a court of record.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

25 U.S.C. § 3602

Title 25, Indians

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102