Las Vegas Paiute TribeTribal Court
Administering justice with fairness, integrity, and respect for tribal sovereignty and cultural values.
Official Notice & Disclaimer
This website is the official online resource of the Las Vegas Paiute Tribal Court and is intended to provide general information regarding the Court's operations, services, and proceedings. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
All persons appearing before the Tribal Court are expected to conduct themselves with respect, honesty, and dignity. The Court operates under the authority of the Las Vegas Paiute Tribal Constitution and Tribal Code. Proceedings are conducted in accordance with tribal law and applicable federal law, including the Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA). Parties are encouraged to seek legal counsel before any court appearance.
Information on this site is subject to change without notice. For the most current information regarding your case or court proceedings, please contact the Clerk of Court directly.
Tribal Court Staff
Tribal Court Personnel as of January 1, 2026
Kostan R. Lathouris, Esq.
Chief Judge
Ilse L. Turner, Esq.
Public Defender
Rory Kay, Esq.
Prosecutor
Dawn McElwain
Guardian Ad Litem / Court Social Worker
Cheryl Gardner
Certified Court Reporter #230
Andre Franklin
Clerk of Court / Wellness Court Coordinator
Appellate Court Judges
Hon. Ramona F. Tsosie
Retired -- Fort Mojave Tribe
Hon. Jan W. Morris
Retired -- Choctaw Nation
Hon. Shannon Edwards
Chief Judge; Retired -- Osage/Chickasaw Nations
Court Divisions
The Tribal Court maintains jurisdiction over the following divisions within the Las Vegas Paiute community.
Criminal
Adjudicates criminal offenses committed within tribal jurisdiction, ensuring public safety and due process.
Juvenile
Handles cases involving minors with a focus on rehabilitation, family support, and community wellness.
Traffic
Processes traffic violations and related infractions occurring on tribal lands and roadways.
Civil
Resolves civil disputes including family matters, protection orders, and other non-criminal proceedings.
2026 Court Calendar
All dates begin at 10:00 AM
January
21
February
18
March
18
April
15
May
20
June
17
July
15
August
19
September
16
October
21
November
18
December
16
Notice of Hearing
Las Vegas Paiute Tribal Court
Honorable Chief Judge Kostan R. Lathouris -- Presiding
Wednesday, February 18, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
CONTINUED -- March 18, 2026
CR26-001 -- Las Vegas Paiute Tribe vs Yazzie, Ila -- Arraignment Hearing
Courtroom Rules
All visitors and participants must observe the following rules while in the courtroom.
All persons entering the courtroom are subject to search. No weapons, sharp objects, or contraband of any kind are allowed.
No cell phones, cameras, or recording devices are permitted in the courtroom during proceedings.
No food, beverages, gum, or tobacco products are allowed in the courtroom at any time.
All persons must dress appropriately. No hats, sunglasses, tank tops, shorts, or offensive clothing.
All persons shall rise when the Judge enters or leaves the courtroom and remain standing until told to be seated.
Children must be supervised at all times. Disruptive children may be asked to leave the courtroom.
No talking, whispering, or disruptive behavior while court is in session. Address the Judge as "Your Honor."
Failure to comply with courtroom rules may result in removal, contempt of court charges, or other sanctions.
Downloadable Forms
Access and download official tribal court forms and documents.
Las Vegas Paiute Tribe Tribal Code 2022
Access the complete, up-to-date tribal code governing the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe.
Legal Resources
Las Vegas Native American Lawyers
Top-rated Nevada attorneys serving Las Vegas specializing in Native American law.
Shea A. Backus
Native American, Divorce, Family and Real Estate
Daniel J Spence
Native American, Divorce, Personal Injury and Probate
Free ConsultationLoren Graham
Native American, Criminal, DUI and Personal Injury
Mitchell C Wright, Esq.
Native American, Agricultural, Criminal and DUI
Matthew Duane Ence
Native American, Arbitration & Mediation, Business and Criminal
Vito R. De La Cruz
Native American, Criminal and Personal Injury
Free Community Legal Education Classes
The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV provide free legal information to the community.
Classes Offered January 23 -- April 23
Family Law, Bankruptcy, and Immigration classes are also available in Spanish. Both in-person and online options available.
Court Information
Office Hours
Monday -- Friday
12:00 PM -- 5:00 PM
By Appointment Only
Location
6 Paiute Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Check in at the front desk upon arrival
Official Tribal Government Website
This is an official website of the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe, a federally recognized sovereign nation. This site is hosted on the lvpaiute.gov domain and is subject to federal and tribal government security policies.
Security Notice: This website is monitored and protected. All activities on this system may be recorded and audited. Unauthorized access, use, or modification of this system or its data is strictly prohibited and may result in criminal and civil penalties under applicable federal, state, and tribal law.
By accessing this website, you consent to system monitoring for security purposes and acknowledge that you have no expectation of privacy regarding any communications or data transiting or stored on this system.