Washington law makes tribal warrants enforceable by state officers

A new Washington law, effective July 1, allows state and tribal law enforcement to certify tribal warrants as state warrants. According to a release from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, House Bill 1829 empowers nontribal officers to arrest individuals wanted on tribal court warrants and route them through local superior courts for return to tribal jurisdictions.

The law, sponsored by state Rep. Debra Lekanoff updates the Tribal Warrants Act and requires tribes to meet federal and state legal standards for certification. Certified tribes must affirm rights to counsel, public access to laws and procedures and judge qualifications. Attorney General Nick Brown said the law supports tribal sovereignty and strengthens justice partnerships statewide.