Maine Code § 30-7208

Jurisdiction of the Mi'kmaq Tribal Court
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1. Exclusive jurisdiction over certain matters. Except as provided in subsections 5 and 6, the
Mi'kmaq Nation has the right to exercise exclusive jurisdiction, separate and distinct from the State,
over:
A. The following criminal offenses committed on Mi'kmaq Nation Jurisdiction Land by an adult
member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group:
(1) Class C, D and E crimes in Titles 15, 17, 17-A, 19-A and 29-A that are not committed
against a person or the property of a person; and
(2) Class C, D and E crimes committed against a person who is a member of any federally
recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group or against the property of a person who is
a member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group.
The Mi'kmaq Nation may not deny to any criminal defendant prosecuted for a Class C crime the
rights and protections enumerated in 25 United States Code, Section 1302(c); [PL 2023, c. 647,
Pt. D, §2 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §6 (AFF).]
B. Juvenile crimes against a person or property involving conduct that, if committed by an adult,
would fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Mi'kmaq Nation under paragraph A, and juvenile
crimes, as defined in Title 15, section 3103, subsection 1, paragraphs B and C, committed by a
juvenile member of the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Houlton Band of Maliseet
Indians or the Penobscot Nation within Mi'kmaq Nation Jurisdiction Land; [PL 1989, c. 148,
§§3, 4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §§2, 5 (AFF).]
C. Civil actions between members of the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Houlton
Band of Maliseet Indians or the Penobscot Nation arising on Mi'kmaq Nation Jurisdiction Land
and cognizable as small claims under the laws of the State and civil actions against a member of
the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians or the

Penobscot Nation under Title 22, section 2383 involving conduct within Mi'kmaq Nation
Jurisdiction Land by a member of the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Houlton
Band of Maliseet Indians or the Penobscot Nation; [PL 1989, c. 148, §§3, 4 (NEW); PL 2023,
c. 369, Pt. A, §§2, 5 (AFF).]
D. Indian child custody proceedings to the extent authorized by applicable state and federal law;
[PL 1989, c. 148, §§3, 4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §§2, 5 (AFF).]
E. Other domestic relations matters, including marriage, divorce and support, between members
of the Mi'kmaq Nation, the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians or the
Penobscot Nation, both of whom reside within Mi'kmaq Nation Jurisdiction Land; and [PL 1989,
c. 148, §§3, 4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §§2, 5 (AFF).]
F. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, civil and criminal actions regarding the
enforcement of ordinances enacted pursuant to section 7206, subsection 8, except that the Mi'kmaq
Nation may not exercise jurisdiction over a nonprofit public municipal corporation. [PL 1989, c.
148, §§3, 4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §§2, 5 (AFF).]
The governing body of the Mi'kmaq Nation shall decide whether to exercise or terminate the exercise
of the exclusive jurisdiction authorized by this subsection. The decision to exercise, to terminate the
exercise of or to reassert the exercise of jurisdiction under each of the subject areas described by
paragraphs A to F may be made separately. Until the Mi'kmaq Nation notifies the Attorney General
that the nation has decided to exercise exclusive jurisdiction set forth in any or all of the paragraphs in
this subsection, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters. If the Mi'kmaq Nation chooses
not to exercise, or chooses to terminate its exercise of, jurisdiction over the criminal, juvenile, civil and
domestic matters described in this subsection, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those matters.
When the Mi'kmaq Nation chooses to reassert the exercise of exclusive jurisdiction over any or all of
the areas under paragraphs A to F, the nation must first provide 30 days' notice to the Attorney General.
In exercising its exclusive jurisdiction under paragraphs A and B, the Mi'kmaq Nation is enforcing
Mi'kmaq tribal law.
[PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §2 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §6 (AFF).]
2. Concurrent jurisdiction over certain criminal offenses. The Mi'kmaq Nation has the right
to exercise jurisdiction, concurrently with the State, over the following criminal offenses:
A. Class C, D and E crimes committed on Mi'kmaq Nation Jurisdiction Land by an adult member
of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group against a person who is not a
member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group or against the property
of a person who is not a member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other
group; and [PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §3 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §6 (AFF).]
B. Class C, D and E crimes committed on Mi'kmaq Nation Jurisdiction Land by a person who is
not a member of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group as authorized in
the federal Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, Public Law 117-103,
Division W, Title VIII, Subtitle A, Section 804, 25 United States Code, Section 1304.
Notwithstanding subsection 3, the Mi'kmaq Nation may not deny to any criminal defendant
prosecuted pursuant to this paragraph the rights and protections enumerated in 25 United States
Code, Sections 1302(a), 1302(c), 1303 and 1304(d) and all other rights whose protection is
necessary under the United States Constitution in order for Congress or the State to recognize
concurrent jurisdiction under this paragraph. [PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §3 (NEW); PL 2023, c.
647, Pt. D, §6 (AFF).]
The Mi'kmaq Nation may not deny to any criminal defendant prosecuted for a Class C crime the rights
and protections enumerated in 25 United States Code, Section 1302(c).

The governing body of the Mi'kmaq Nation shall decide whether to exercise or terminate the exercise
of jurisdiction authorized by this subsection. In exercising the concurrent jurisdiction authorized by
this subsection, the Mi'kmaq Nation is enforcing Mi'kmaq tribal law. The definitions of the criminal
offenses and the punishments applicable to those criminal offenses over which the Mi'kmaq Nation has
concurrent jurisdiction under this subsection are governed by the laws of the State. Issuance and
execution of criminal process also are governed by the laws of the State.
[PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §3 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §6 (AFF).]
2-A. Exclusive jurisdiction of the State. Except as provided in subsection 1, paragraphs A and
B and subsection 2, all laws of the State relating to criminal offenses and juvenile crimes apply within
Mi'kmaq Nation Trust Land and the State has exclusive jurisdiction over those offenses and crimes.
Notwithstanding subsections 1 and 2, the State has exclusive jurisdiction over:
A. All crimes and juvenile crimes committed on Mi'kmaq Nation Jurisdiction Land against the
State or against any office, department, agency, authority, commission, board, institution, hospital
or other instrumentality of the State, including the Maine Turnpike Authority, the Maine Port
Authority, the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, the Maine Community College
System, the Maine Veterans' Homes, the Maine Public Employees Retirement System, the Maine
Military Authority and all similar state entities; and [PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §4 (NEW); PL
2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §6 (AFF).]
B. Class C, D and E crimes defined in provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes outside of Titles
15, 17, 17-A, 19-A and 29-A committed on Mi'kmaq Nation Jurisdiction Land by an adult member
of any federally recognized Indian tribe, nation, band or other group that are not committed against
a person or the property of a person. [PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 647, Pt.
D, §6 (AFF).]
Nothing in subsection 1 or 2 affects, alters or preempts the authority of the State to investigate or
prosecute any conduct occurring in the State, including conduct occurring on Mi'kmaq Nation Trust
Land, that is within the State's exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction.
[PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §6 (AFF).]
3. Definitions of crimes; tribal procedures. The definitions of the criminal offenses and juvenile
crimes and the punishments applicable to those criminal offenses and juvenile crimes over which the
Mi'kmaq Nation has exclusive jurisdiction under this section are governed by the laws of the State.
Issuance and execution of criminal process are also governed by the laws of the State. The procedures
for the establishment and operation of tribal forums created to effectuate the purposes of this section
are governed by federal statute, including, without limitation, the provisions of 25 United States Code,
Sections 1301 to 1303 and rules or regulations generally applicable to the exercise of criminal
jurisdiction by Indian tribes on federal Indian reservations.
[PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §5 (AMD); PL 2023, c. 647, Pt. D, §6 (AFF).]
4. Criminal records, juvenile records and fingerprinting. At the arraignment of a criminal
defendant, the Mi'kmaq Tribal Court shall inquire whether fingerprints have been taken or whether
arrangements have been made for fingerprinting. If neither has occurred, the Mi'kmaq Tribal Court
shall instruct both the responsible law enforcement agency and the person charged as to their respective
obligations in this regard, consistent with Title 25, section 1542-A.
At the conclusion of a criminal or juvenile proceeding within the Mi'kmaq Nation's exclusive or
concurrent jurisdiction, except for a violation of Title 12 or Title 29-A that is a Class D or Class E crime
other than a Class D crime that involves hunting while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
drugs or with an excessive alcohol level or the operation or attempted operation of a watercraft, all-
terrain vehicle, snowmobile or motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs
or with an excessive alcohol level, the Mi'kmaq Tribal Court shall transmit to the Department of Public
Safety, State Bureau of Identification an abstract duly authorized on forms provided by the bureau.

[PL 1989, c. 148, §§3, 4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §§2, 5 (AFF).]
5. Lesser included offenses in state courts. In any criminal proceeding in the courts of the State
in which a criminal offense under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Mi'kmaq Nation constitutes a lesser
included offense of the criminal offense charged, the defendant may be convicted in the courts of the
State of the lesser included offense. A lesser included offense is as defined under the laws of the State.
[PL 1989, c. 148, §§3, 4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §§2, 5 (AFF).]
6. Double jeopardy, collateral estoppel. A prosecution for a criminal offense or juvenile crime
over which the Mi'kmaq Nation has exclusive jurisdiction under this section does not bar a prosecution
for a criminal offense or juvenile crime, arising out of the same conduct, over which the State has
exclusive jurisdiction. A prosecution for a criminal offense over which the Mi'kmaq Nation has
concurrent jurisdiction under this section does not bar a prosecution for a criminal offense, arising out
of the same conduct, over which the State has exclusive jurisdiction. A prosecution for a criminal
offense over which the State has concurrent jurisdiction under this section does not bar a prosecution
for a criminal offense, arising out of the same conduct, over which the Mi'kmaq Nation has exclusive
jurisdiction. A prosecution for a criminal offense or juvenile crime over which the State has exclusive
jurisdiction does not bar a prosecution for a criminal offense or juvenile crime, arising out of the same
conduct, over which the Mi'kmaq Nation has exclusive jurisdiction under this section. The
determination of an issue of fact in a criminal or juvenile proceeding conducted in a Mi'kmaq tribal
forum does not constitute collateral estoppel in a criminal or juvenile proceeding conducted in a state
court. The determination of an issue of fact in a criminal or juvenile proceeding conducted in a state
court does not constitute collateral estoppel in a criminal or juvenile proceeding conducted in a Mi'kmaq
tribal forum.
[PL 1989, c. 148, §§3, 4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §§2, 5 (AFF).]
7. Full faith and credit. The State shall give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of
the Mi'kmaq Nation. The Mi'kmaq Nation shall give full faith and credit to the judicial proceedings of
the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the Penobscot Nation, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians and the State.
[PL 1989, c. 148, §§3, 4 (NEW); PL 2023, c. 369, Pt. A, §§2, 5 (AFF).]

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