Any person appearing in Community Court shall have the right to a Spokesperson at his own expense, to assist him in presenting his case. The Court may appoint a spokesperson to assist any person if, in the discretion of the Court, it appears necessary to protect such a person’s rights under Port Gamble S’Klallam Law. A Spokesperson need not be an attorney.
(Port Gamble S’Klallam Law and Order Code. Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984; Res. 21-A-101, 7/26/2021 amended this section to eliminate the requirement that a Spokesperson be admitted to the Community Court Bar.)
All Spokespersons appearing in Community Court must take and sign the Spokesperson's Oath. Any Spokesperson violating the Oath shall be subject to disqualification to appear in Community Court following the Disbarment procedures in section 1.05.06.
The oath that all persons desiring to appear as Spokespersons in the Community Court shall take is as follows:
SPOKESPERSON’S OATH
“ I, ____________________, desire to appear as counsel in the Port Gamble S’Klallam Community Court and do solemnly swear:
1.
I will read the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Law and Order Code and be familiar with those portions of the Code that apply to my practice before the Court.
2.
I will support the Constitution of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe in all respects.
3.
I will abide by the rules established by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Community Court.
4.
I will at all times maintain the respect due the Port Gamble S’Klallam Community Court and its officers and staff.
5.
I will not appear in any suit or proceeding which shall appear to me to be unjust, nor shall I present any defense except as I believe to be honestly debatable under Port Gamble S’Klallam law.
6.
I will employ such means only as are consistent with truth and honor and will never seek to mislead the Court or jury by false statements in Court or any other judicial proceedings.
7.
I will abstain from all offensive conduct in the Community Court or in any other judicial proceeding.
8.
I shall uphold and maintain a CODE OF ETHICS consistent with licensed attorneys in the State of Washington whenever practicing before the Port Gamble S’Klallam Community Court or in any other judicial proceeding.
 
Signature
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN before me this _____ day of __________, _____
 
Judge
(Port Gamble S’Klallam Law and Order Code. Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984. This section was formerly numbered 1.9.03; amended by Res. 15-A-070, 6/8/2015, to clarify that the person taking the oath swears to be familiar with the portions of the Code that apply to that person’s practice before the Court and to add the requirement that the person taking the oath shall uphold a code of ethics that is consistent with the code of ethics that binds attorneys licensed in Washington State; amended by Res. 21-A-101, 7/26/2021, to affirm the Disbarment procedures in section in 1.05.06 shall be used to prohibit a Spokesperson from appearing in Community Court.)
To be admitted to the Community Court Bar, a person must:
(1) 
Be of good moral character;
(2) 
Submit an application to the Community Court;
(3) 
Be at least eighteen (18) years of age;
(4) 
Be approved by the Community Court;
(5) 
Sign and take a Spokesperson’s Oath, and
(6) 
Pay the Community Court Bar admission fee.
(Port Gamble S’Klallam Law and Order Code. Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984. This section was formerly numbered 1.9.02; amended by Res. 15-A-070, 6/8/2015, to add requirement that a person must submit an application to the Community Court and that a person must be eighteen (18) years old to be admitted.)
The Clerk of the Community Court will maintain a roster of all persons admitted to practice before the Community Court. The Clerk will also keep a roster of all Spokespersons on file and the signed oaths of such persons.
(Port Gamble S’Klallam Law and Order Code. Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984. This section was formerly numbered 1.9.04; amended by Res. 21-A-101, 7/26/2021, to clarify the Clerk of the Community Court shall maintain a roster of all Spokespersons and separate roster of all persons admitted to the Community Court Bar.)
Every person wishing to be admitted to the Community Court Bar will pay an admission fee. A person shall not be admitted to the Community Court Bar without paying the admission fee. A judge may waive the Community Court Bar fee upon good cause shown.
(Port Gamble S’Klallam Law and Order Code. Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984 amended this section by increasing the bar fee and providing for copies of the Code to be given to Tribal bar admittees. This section was formerly numbered 1.9.05; amended by Res. 15-A-070, 6/8/2015, to remove the specific $15 admission fee that was collected for the purpose of maintaining a law library and to provide spokespersons with revisions of the Law and Order Code. In 2015, PGST does not maintain a law library and the Law and Order Code is online and spokespersons are no longer provided copies of the Code; amended by Res. 21-A-101, 7/26/2021, to eliminate the requirement of a Spokesperson to pay a Community Court Bar Admission Fee.)
Any person violating the Spokesperson’s Oath shall be subject to disbarment or disqualification to act as a Spokesperson. The Community Court judge shall prepare in writing a complaint against such a person including reasons for disbarment or disqualification. Within ten days of receipt of such complaint, the Tribal Council shall hold a hearing at which time the person involved may present witnesses and a defense of his action. The decision of the Tribal Council shall be final.
(Port Gamble S’Klallam Law and Order Code. Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984. This section was formerly numbered 1.9.06; amended by Res. 21-A-101, 7/26/2021, to affirm the procedures in this section shall be applied to Spokespersons if the Court believes a Spokesperson has violated the Spokesperson's Oath.)
Any person denied admission to the Community Court Bar may appeal to a panel designated by the Tribal Council. Such panel shall be composed of three members of the Tribal Council. A person shall have the right to a hearing before such panel within 10 days of his denial and shall have the right to present witnesses and present a defense. The decision of a majority of the panel shall be final.
(Port Gamble S’Klallam Law and Order Code. Res. 84 A 03, 2/14/1984 amended this section to clarify appeal procedures. This section was formerly numbered 1.9.08.)