SEATTLE, Wash. – Washington state’s new law allows tribal warrants to be recognized as state warrants, enhancing cooperation between state and tribal law enforcement.
Sponsored by Rep. Debra Lekanoff, D-Anacortes, HB 1829 updates the Tribal Warrants Act. It allows nontribal officers to arrest individuals under tribal warrants, sending them to local courts for return to tribal lands.
Attorney General Nick Brown emphasized the collaborative effort: “This new law is an example of the collaborative work between the state, counties, and tribes to uphold justice and public safety.”
Tribes must comply with federal and state acts to verify certified status, providing documentation of criminal laws and ensuring defendants’ rights to counsel.
Non-certified tribes must formally request extradition from state authorities, requiring judicial review.
A list of certified tribes will be posted on the Attorney General’s Office website as applications are completed.
