District Court
The Mille Lacs Band District Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction. The District Court hears civil matters, criminal prosecutions, and certain administrative appeals. Cases are heard by a District Court Judge, Associate District Court Judge, and in cases of judicial conflict of intersts or as otherwise needed, Special Magistrates. The judges are law school graduates who have been admitted to practice before a state bar. The Mille Lacs Band Chief Executive submits nominations of the district Court Judge for a six-year term and the Associate Judges for a four-year term to the Mille Lacs Band Assembly for confirmation. Special Magistrates are appointed by the Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals.
During inclement weather, please call (800) 709-6445. If the Government Center is closed, the Court will be closed and cases will be rescheduled. If there is a delayed opening, cases scheduled for hearing prior to the time of reopening will be rescheduled. Matters scheduled for hearing after the time for reopening will proceed as originally scheduled.
Judges
Dave Christensen
District Court Judge
Vacant
Associate District Court Judge
Court Staff
Gilda Burr
Court Administrator
gilda.burr@millelacsband.com
320-532-7401
Brett Haskin
Bailiff Officer/Process Server
brett.haskin@millelacsband.com
320-532-7758
James Rennicke
Court Attorney
james.rennicke@millelacsband.com
320-532-7597
Asiniikwe Sam
Family Healing to Wellness Court Case Manager
asiniikwe.sam@milllacsband.com
320-532-7597
Special Magistrate
B.J. Jones
Joseph Plumer
Tammy Swanson
Megan Treuer
Michael Harralson
Guardian ad Litem
Dixie Kamimura
Pam Chichila
Jessica Gilder-Schwartz
Jeannie Reams
Cynthia Bahe
Samantha Merrill
Assistant Court & Administrative Clerk
samantha.merrill@millelacsband.com
320-532-7400
Rhonda Juetten
Chief Court Clerk
mlbo.court@millelacsband.com
320-532-7404
Tina Merrill
Court Clerk II
mlbo.court@millelacsband.com
320-532-7538
Holly Battermann
Court Clerk I
mlbo.court@millelacsband.com
320-532-7553
Arlene Bentley
Clerk of Court I
mlbo.court@millelacsband.com
320-532-7502
Laurie Vilas
Tribal Court Peacemaker
laurie.vilas@millelacsband.com
320-532-4769
320-630-1132
UNDERSTANDING SERVICE OF PROCESS
Please watch the video below if you are trying to file a new court case or a motion. Normally, serving all parties is the responsibility of the petitioner when a new case is filed, but when filing a case in Tribal Court, our Bailiff/Process Server will serve the paperwork if there is a current address listed. However, our Bailiff/Process Server will not serve Motion forms. Any Motions filed must be accomplished by the motioning party.
Get in the Circle (PSA) from State Courts on Vimeo.
Attorneys and Guardian Ad Litem's must use the FSX website to file court documents. All other non-represented litigants must file through these avenues: In-person, mail, fax, emailing to MLBO.Court@millelacsband.com
Court Brochures
- Filing a Foreign Judgment
- Filing for Custody And Visitation
- Getting Married in Tribal Court
- Glossary of Legal Terminology
- Guardian ad Litem QA
- Filing A Civil Complaint Explanation of Process
- Guardianship and Conservatorship QA
- Name Change Info
- Order for Protection QA
- Representing Yourself
- What Court Staff Can and Cannot Do
Guardian-ad-Litem Guidelines
Court Forms
Appeals
Foreign Judgments
General — Miscellaneous
- Application for Fee Waiver
- Affidavit of Service
- Certificate of Representation — General
- Cultural Cause of Action Complaint
- Garnishment of Wage or Per Capita Payment
- Civil Complaint Form
- Petition for Custody and parenting time
- Petition to Change Name
- Power of Attorney
- Subpoena
- Voluntary Dismissal Without Prejudice Form
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
Adoption
- Adoption — Petition of Adoption
- Adoption — Consent of Father
- Adoption — Consent of Mother
- Adoption — Consent of Parent Waiver
Guardianship
- Adult Guardianship Petition
- Adult Guardianship Well-Being Financial Report
- Minor Guardianship Guide
- Minor Guardianship Petition
- Minor Guardianship Annual Report
Motions
Petition for Protective Orders
Eviction of Overstaying Guest or Family Member
Probate
- Guide to Probate
- Probate Checklist
- Petition for Probate of Will and Appointment of Personal Representative
- Petition for Adjudication of Intestacy, Determination of Heirs, and Appointment of Personal Representative
- Acceptance of Appointment and Oath by Individual
- Certificate of Mailing
- Petition for Determination of Descent
- Disclaimer
- Inventory
- Schedule of Distribution and Payment of Claims
- Schedule of Distribution
- Receipt for Distribution of Payment of Claim
- Final Account
- Personal Representative's Statement to Close Estate
- Petition for Order of Complete Settlement of Estate and Decree of Distribution