Tribe: Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana
Section 8. Informal Hearing. The Family Court Judge,
and a Juvenile Board consisting of a Tribal Child Protection
Worker, Juvenile Presenting Officer, Juvenile Probation Officer,and
a Juvenile/Child Protection Officer is established •. At least three
(3} Board Members must be present for each informal hearing. The
Bo’ard may hold an informal hearing with the ·minor and the minor’ s·
parent(s), guardian or custodian to discuss alternatives to the
filing of a petition if:
1. The alleged facts •constitute a status offense of the
Juvenile Court; and
2. An informal disposition of the matter would be in
the best interest of the minor and the Tribe; and
3. The minor and parent ( s) , guardian or custodian
consent to an informal disposition of the matter
with knowledge that the consent is voluntary.
A. Recommendations. At the informal hearing, the Juvenile
Board may:
1. Ref er the minor and the parent ( s) , guardian. or
custodian to a community agency for needed
assistance through use of a Family Court Contract;
or
2. Reconunend that a petition for a “minor in need of
care”, or “status offender” be filed and set· a
Family Court date.
B. Informal Disposition. The Family Court shall set forth,
in writing, the conclusion reached at the informal hearing and the
disposition agreed to by the parties for remedying the situation.
1. Any informal disposition period shall not exceed six
(6) months.
2. The Family Court shall review the minor’s progress
every thirty (30) days. If, at any time after the
initial 30 day period, the Court concludes that
positive results are not being achieved, the Court
shal 1 recommend that a petition be filed pursuant to
this Code.