Just yards from the landmark Council Oak where the Seminole Constitution was signed in 1957, Chairman James E. Billie presided over a solemn ceremony that cemented a new historic milestone via judicial oaths of office.

Emcee Sally Tommie, a former Fort Pierce community liaison, called the event, “tremendous.”

“It allows us to stay in tune and in touch with who we are. It’s a way for our people to move forward in sovereignty,”Tommie said.

Pledging to defend the Seminole and United States constitutions, the justices and judges also promised to “administer justice without respect to persons, and right to the poor and to the rich ...and to faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties” required.

Installed were: Chief Justice Willie Johns; Chief Judge Moses B. Osceola;Associate Justice Amy Johns; Associate Justice Moses Jumper Jr.; Associate Judge Tina Marie Osceola; and Associate Judge Mary Tigertail.

The judges and justices are charged with resolving civil disputes through the Tribal Court’s two branches – a trial court where judges try new cases and an appellate court where the justices hear appeals on prior rulings. Helene Buster, director of the Tribe’s Family Services Department, was among more than 300 Tribal members and local and state officials who turned out to mark the occasion. 

Download Full Article:  Seminole Tribune February 2015

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Court in session

Chairman James E. Billie swears in Willie Johns as Chief Justice of Tribal Court during the judicial inauguration Feb. 19 in Hollywood as his granddaughter Bobbie Dale Osceola holds the Bible.

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The newly established Tribal Court officials pose under the boughs of the historic Council Oak tree after the Feb. 19 inauguration ceremony. From left are Associate Judge Tina Marie Osceola, Associate Judge Mary Tigertail, Chief Judge Moses B. Osceola, Chief Justice Willie Johns, Associate Justice Amy Johns and Associate Justice Moses Jumper Jr.