PR Archive 2024

The Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation will be closed Wednesday, June 19, 2024, in recognition of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth celebrates African American freedom and commemorates the day in 1865 that the people of Galveston, Texas, were informed of the Emancipation Proclamation. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordan Granger read General Order No. 3, saying "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer."
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.

The Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation and the Office of the Chief Justice will be closed on Friday, June 7, 2024. The Court will resume normal business hours on Monday, June 10, 2024. Messages may be left for the Supreme Court and the Office of the Chief Justice at (928) 871-6626. If you have any questions, please call (928) 871-6762.

The Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, for Memorial Day and on Friday, May 31, 2024, for Navajo Nation Memorial Day.

April 19, 2024: During her report to the Navajo Nation Council on Monday, April 15, 2024, Chief Justice JoAnn B. Jayne announced two new initiatives by the Hashkééjí Nahat'á (Judicial Branch), including a judicial law clerkship program and an internship and externship program. The Branch is currently seeking applicants for both programs. Read more. Alse see Frequently Asked Questions for Judicial Law Clerkship Program (PDF), Judicial Clerkship Program Brochure and Internship/Externship Program and Internship/Externship Brochure.

April 16, 2024: The Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation will be closed Monday, April 22, 2024, in recognition of Navajo Nation Sovereignty Day.

Sovereignty Day commemorates the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kerr-McGee Corp. v. Navajo Tribe, which was decided April 16, 1985. The Supreme Court found that the Navajo Nation had the ability to pass laws, including those related to tax, without approval of the Secretary of the Interior. In the opinion, the Court stated that, "The Navajo Government has been called 'probably the most elaborate' among tribes… The legitimacy of the Navajo Tribal Council, the freely elected governing body of the Navajos, is beyond question."

The Navajo Nation courts protect the sovereignty of the Navajo Nation by interpreting and applying Navajo Nation-enacted laws.

April 15, 2024: The Judicial Branch Fiscal Year 2024 Second Quarterly Report is available under the Branch Reports page.

The Judicial Branch of the Navajo Nation will be closed April 8, 2024, due to the partial solar eclipse that will be visible in this area. If you have any questions, please contact the respective court or program.

April 5, 2024: Chief Justice JoAnn Jayne named Bennie Francisco, Jr., as Administrator Director of the Courts with the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), effective April 1, 2024. Read more.

March 20, 2024: The public is invited to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Navajo Nation courts as judicial districts across the Navajo Nation hold Justice Day events. Read more

March 4, 2024: RE-BID NO: 24-01-3202KS The Navajo Nation Purchasing Services Department is soliciting for sealed proposals and bids to Provide High-Speed, High-Volume Copier/Printer/Scanner Machines with Maintenance and Repair.

The Dilkon Judicial District will reopen on Friday, February 16, 2024, at 8 a.m. Beginning Friday, the Court may be reached at (928) 657-8140. The Peacemaking Program may be reached at (928) 657-8136. Probation Services may be reached at (928) 607-8888. The Dilkon Judicial District thanks the public for their patience while the facility was closed.

The Dilkon Judicial District is closed from February 7, 2024, at 1 p.m., to February 15, 2024, at 5 p.m. due to issues with the Dilkon Judicial District facility and for the health and safety of the public and staff. If you have any questions, please contact (928) 871-6626 or (928) 871-6762.

February 6, 2024: RE-BID NO: 22-05-2819KS The Navajo Nation Judicial Branch is seeking proposals from qualified firms and/or individuals to provide HVAC, air vents and duct services.

January 23, 2024: BID NO: 23-01-3221KS The Navajo Nation Judicial Branch, through the Administrative Office of the Courts, is seeking proposals to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the needs to enable the Navajo Nation to implement a Judicial Branch wide e-Filing system.

Judicial Branch employees are granted two (2) hours administrative leave on January 11, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., by authority of the Chief Justice. This leave is necessary due to inclement weather conditions across the Navajo Nation that cause dangerous travel conditions. Please contact the respective court or program if you have any questions as some courts and/or programs are continuing operations.

Navajo Nation Judicial Branch employees are granted two (2) hours administrative leave from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on January 8, 2024, due to inclement weather.