§ 1-502 Qualifications of members of the Traditional Court.
A. A member of the Traditional Court shall meet all the following qualifications:
1. Is a member of the Tribe.
2. Has never been convicted of a felony.
3. Is of good moral character and integrity.
4. Is familiar with provisions of the Constitution of Wilton Rancheria, all other tribal laws, and all Wilton Rancheria Tribal Court rules and procedures.
5. Is familiar with the traditions and customs of the Tribe.
6. Is proficient in oral and written communications and is capable of preparing the papers and reports incidental to service on the Traditional Court.
7. Is an elder at least sixty-two (62) years of age at the time of appointment.
B. Each of the five (5) members of the Traditional Court shall be the lineal descendant of a different distributee listed in the Tribe’s A Plan for Distribution of the Assets of the Wilton Rancheria, According to the Provisions of Public Law 85-671, Enacted by the 85th Congress, Approved August 18, 1958, as approved by the deputy commissioner of the Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs on July 6, 1959. The Tribal Council can appoint the five (5) members from four (4) or fewer distributee families only if all the following conditions are met:
1. The Tribal Council has only received applications from four (4) or fewer distributee families.
2. The Tribal Council has attempted for two (2) additional weeks to gather applications from additional distributee families.
3. The Tribal Council can appoint up to but no more than two (2) lineal descendants from the same distributee family.
4. Any seats on the Traditional Court that cannot be filled meeting these conditions shall remain vacant until it is time for the Tribal Council to make appointments for the next two (2) year term.
C. No individual serving as an elected or appointed tribal official, as a tribal employee, or as a member of a tribal committee, except the Elders Committee, shall be eligible to serve on the Traditional Court. Individuals who are employed by the Tribe or who are serving on a tribal committee may be considered for appointment to the Traditional Court; provided, that the individual agrees to resign his or her tribal employment or committee position prior to appointment to the Traditional Court. (Res. 2021-43; Res. 2020-76; Res. 2019-08)