Justice Services
Justice Services is responsible for the judicial branch of Kahnawà:ke government and the overall administration of the Kahnawà:ke Justice System. This includes the development and management of fair, impartial, independent and accessible justice forums that integrate traditional Kanien’kehá:ka values. It operates under the oversight and strategic direction of the Kahnawà:ke Justice Commission in matters concerning the administration of the Kahnawà:ke Justice System.
About Us
The Kahnawà:ke Justice System has a long, vibrant history and is a recognized leader in First Nations justice. There has been a rapid expansion of justice services within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke over the past several years. This expansion has seen the formal establishment of Justice Services as the “department of justice” for Kahnawà:ke, the modernization of the Kahnawà:ke Justice Commission, the revitalization of restorative justice as the foundation of our justice system, and the launch of a culturally appropriate victim support service. More recently, there has been the implementation of the Administrative Tribunal (a first-of-its-kind in First Nations justice in the country).
Additionally, the Court of Kahnawà:ke continues to hear summary conviction offences (Part XXVII of the Criminal Code), contested traffic tickets and many Kahnawà:ke laws.
The Kahnawà:ke Justice Act, enacted in 2015, instituted judicial forums within the Mohawk Territory of Territory as an exercise of our sovereign rights. Justice Services is working towards the full implementation of this law. This includes the groundbreaking endeavor of unilaterally appointing Judges to preside at the Court of Kahnawà:ke.
The mandate of Justice Services was initially approved by the MCK Ratitsénhaienhs in 2019. With an expanding and increasingly complex justice system, it became necessary to establish a “department of justice” to focus on the administration of justice and expedite the implementation of the Kahnawà:ke Justice Act. Due to the nature of the justice forums that it administers, Justice Services functions similarly to an arm’s-length entity with oversight by the Kahnawà:ke Justice Commission.
Recent News
Services
The Office of the Commissioner of Justice
Focuses on research and development to improve access to justice. Responsible for prosecuting criminal and penal matters.
Court of Kahnawà:ke
The Court of Kahnawà:ke currently hears summary conviction offences (Part XXVII of the Criminal Code), contested traffic tickets and Kahnawà:ke laws.
Skén:nen Aonsón:ton
Offers restorative justice services, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and public education.
Ionkwatahónhsate Victims Services
Aids victims of crimes by providing public education on victims' rights and remedies, court accompaniment, and referring clients to specialized services and resources. Also assists with technical forms, helping clients access information related to their cases. Additionally, provides post-traumatic and psychosocial interventions to support clients through difficult experiences.
Kahnawá:ke Justice Commission
The Kahnawà:ke Justice Commission was established by MCR No. 42/1996-97 on July 16, 1996. It is governed by the Constitution of the Kahnawà:ke Justice Commission, which was most recently amended in 2025. Its mandate is to provide oversight and strategic direction to Justice Services. In doing so, it monitors the activities of Justice Services in matters concerning the administration of the Kahnawà:ke Justice System. It can be thought of as a de facto “board of directors” for the Kahnawà:ke Justice System. It is also mandated to protect and defend the Kahnawà:ke Justice System.
Composition
- Kevin Fleischer, Chairperson (non-voting)
- Louise Mayo, Community Representative
- Don Patrick Martin, Community Representative
- Ietsénhaienhs Tonya Perron, Advisory
- Justice Stephanie Cross, Advisory
Court of Kahnawà:ke
The Court of Kahnawà:ke was formally established in 1979. It is currently presided over by Justice Stephanie Cross, the Justice of the Peace of the Court of Kahnawà:ke. It is a fully independent body that receives operational support from Justice Services. It sits approximately 36 times per year.
Justice Services is actively working towards the unilateral appointment of judges under the Kahnawà:ke Justice Act and the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Court of Kahnawà:ke. As per article 8.1 of the Kahnawà:ke Justice Act, the Court of Kahnawà:ke is to be the court of original general jurisdiction within the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawà:ke in all civil, criminal and penal matters. It will hear in first instance every matter not assigned exclusively to another Kahnawà:ke court or administrative tribunal by Kahnawà:ke Law.
Revisions to the listing of court services
The Court of Kahnawà:ke currently hears:
- Summary conviction offences (Part XXVII of the Criminal Code);
- Traffic tickets; and,
- Kahnawà:ke laws (e.g.: MCK Election Law, MCK Disciplinary Measures Regulations).
Need Information About Your Ticket, Case or Court Date?
Justice Services now has a dedicated email address for inquiries about:
- Tickets, contestations
- Court dates
- Submitting additional information to a file
- Payment Inquiries
Please note: This email is for inquiries and file-related submissions only.