FROM THE ARCHIVE

Cherokee Nation gets new justice

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SEPTEMBER 21, 2000

On Tuesday, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma swore in a new judge to sit on the tribe's highest court -- the Judicial Appeals Tribunal in Tahlequah.

At the Cherokee Nation courthouse, new Justice Darell R. Matlock, Jr. was sworn in by Chief Justice Philip Viles. Matlock joins Viles and Justice Darrell Dowty in completing the three-member tribunal, the first time in 20 months the tribe has had a complete panel of justices.

"The Cherokee people have always held their justice system in the highest regard," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith, who attended the ceremony. "Our current tribunal, with Justices Viles, Dowty and Matlock, will continue that proud tradition of excellence.

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The Judicial Branch of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma - www.cherokee.org/TribalGovernment/JudicialBranch.asp