(a) Venue Districts. The venue map promulgated by the supreme court establishes the district and superior court venue districts and the presumptive trial site for each district. The venue map includes a chart listing each community that appears on the map along with each community’s presumptive district court trial site and presumptive superior court trial site.
(b) Determination of Trial Location.
(1) Initial Assignment. A Criminal case must be initially assigned for trial at the presumptive trial site for the district or superior court venue district, as determined by reference to the venue map and community chart described in (a) of this rule, in which the crime is alleged to have occurred.
(2) Transfer to Approved Additional Trial Site. As provided in (e) of this rule, the defendant may cause venue to be transferred to a trial site on the list of approved additional trial sites described in (d) of this rule.
(3) Change of Venue. Either party may move to change venue as provided in (g) of this rule.
(c) Additional Trial Site Standards. Subject to supreme court approval, the administrative director shall devise and promulgate an administrative bulletin establishing minimum standards for additional trial sites, including standards for courtroom needs and standards for transportation, housing, and feeding of all trial participants.
(d) List of Approved Additional Trial Sites. The administrative director shall promulgate an administrative bulletin listing approved additional trial sites for six- and twelve-person juries meeting the standards established under (c) of this rule. Changes in the list may be made as follows:
(1) A presiding judge, area court administrator, town council, or similar public representative group, or the attorney general, the public defender, or the public advocate may ask the administrative director for an investigation to determine whether a community should be added to or deleted from the list.
(2) The administrative director will distribute the list of approved additional trial sites to the attorney general, the public defender, and the public advocate.
(e) Motion to Transfer by Right. After assignment to the presumptive trial site, a defendant may move by right for the setting of venue in an approved additional trial site within the venue district where the crime charged is alleged to have occurred if such site is the trial site nearest the place where the crime charged is alleged to have occurred. This right is waived unless the defendant requests the transfer within ten days after the defendant enters a plea, absent good cause for an extension of this time limit.
(f) Fair Cross-Section. If the trial location assignment under the above subsections will not provide a petit jury which is a representative cross-section of the appropriate community, the trial court on its own motion or that of a party may change the jury selection area as provided in Administrative Rule 15(h)(3).
(g) Change of Venue. Any other motion for a change of venue shall be determined under the standards listed in AS 22.10.040.
(h) Limitations of Rule. The presumptive trial sites established by this rule do not determine the court location where a criminal case must be filed or the court location where pretrial proceedings take place.
(Adopted by SCO 4 effective October 4, 1959; amended by SCO 136 effective September 2, 1971; by SCO 157 effective February 15, 1973; by SCO 666 effective January 1, 1986; by SCO 670 effective March 15, 1986; by SCO 682 effective May 15, 1986; by SCO 1334 effective July 15, 1998; by SCO 1348 effective October 1, 1998; by SCO 1644 effective October 15, 2007; by SCO 1645 effective July 1, 2007; by SCO 1754 effective October 14, 2011; by SCO 1837 effective July 15, 2014; by SCO 1846 effective January 1, 2015; by SCO 1857 effective July 1, 2015; by SCO 1866 effective July 1, 2015; by SCO 1860 effective October 15, 2015; by SCO 1870(3) effective May 15, 2016; SCO 1916 effective January 1, 2018; and by SCO 1933(1) effective October 15, 2018)
Note: Administrative Bulletin 28 establishes the minimum standards for additional trial site locations and is available on the court system’s website:
[http://www. courts.alaska.gov/adbulls/ab28.pdf], in law libraries, and from the office of the court rules attorney, 820 W. 4th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501 (907) 264-8231. Administrative Bulletin 27 lists approved additional trial site locations, and is included at the end of this rule.
Note: The boundaries of the Anchorage venue district, the Seward venue district, and the Kenai venue district were changed by SCO 1348 effective October 1, 1998. A copy of this order is available in law libraries and from the court rules attorney.
Note: The venue map promulgated by the supreme court and the community chart referenced in subsection (a) of this rule are available on the Alaska Court System website at: http://www.courts.alaska.gov/rules/index.htm#venue
Community Appearing on Venue Map | Presumptive District Court Trial Site | Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site |
---|---|---|
Adak | Unalaska | Unalaska |
Afognak | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Akhiok | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Akiachak | Bethel | Bethel |
Akiak | Bethel | Bethel |
Akutan | Unalaska | Unalaska |
Alakanuk | Emmonak | Bethel |
Alatna | Nenana | Nenana |
Alcan | Tok | Tok |
Aleknagik | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Allakaket | Nenana | Nenana |
Ambler | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Anaktuvuk Pass | Utqiagvik | Utqiagvik |
Anchor Point | Homer | Homer |
Anchorage | Anchorage | Anchorage |
Anderson | Nenana | Nenana |
Angoon | Angoon | Sitka |
Aniak | Aniak | Bethel |
Anvik | Aniak | Bethel |
Arctic Village | Fort Yukon | Fairbanks |
Atka | Unalaska | Unalaska |
Atmautluak | Bethel | Bethel |
Atqasuk | Utqiagvik | Utqiagvik |
Attu | Unalaska | Unalaska |
Auke Bay | Juneau | Juneau |
Ayakulik | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Beaver | Fort Yukon | Fairbanks |
Belkofski | Sand Point | Anchorage |
Beluga | Kenai | Kenai |
Bethel | Bethel | Bethel |
Bettles | Nenana | Nenana |
Big Delta | Delta Junction | Delta Junction |
Big Lake | Palmer | Palmer |
Bill Moores | Emmonak | Bethel |
Birch Creek | Fort Yukon | Fairbanks |
Boundary | Tok | Tok |
Brevig Mission | Nome | Nome |
Buckland | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Candle | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Cantwell | Nenana | Nenana |
Central | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Chalkyitsik | Fort Yukon | Fairbanks |
Chase | Palmer | Palmer |
Chefornak | Bethel | Bethel |
Chena Hot Springs | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Chenega | Seward | Seward |
Chevak | Bethel | Bethel |
Chickaloon | Palmer | Palmer |
Community Appearing on Venue Map | Presumptive District Court Trial Site | Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site |
Chicken | Tok | Tok |
Chignik | Naknek | Naknek |
Chignik Lagoon | Naknek | Naknek |
Chignik Lake | Naknek | Naknek |
Chiniak | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Chisana | Tok | Tok |
Chistochina | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Chitina | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Chuathbaluk | Aniak | Bethel |
Chugiak | Anchorage | Anchorage |
Chuloonawick | Emmonak | Bethel |
Circle | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Circle Hot Springs | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Clam Gulch | Kenai | Kenai |
Clarks Point | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Coffman Cove | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Cohoe | Kenai | Kenai |
Cold Bay | Sand Point | Anchorage |
Coldfoot | Nenana | Nenana |
Cooper Landing | Seward | Seward |
Copper Center | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Cordova | Cordova | Cordova |
Council | Nome | Nome |
Craig | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Crooked Creek | Aniak | Bethel |
Deadhorse | Utqiagvik | Utqiagvik |
Deering | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Delta Junction | Delta Junction | Delta Junction |
Dillingham | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Diomede | Nome | Nome |
Dot Lake | Tok | Tok |
Douglas | Juneau | Juneau |
Dry Creek | Delta Junction | Delta Junction |
Dutch Harbor | Unalaska | Unalaska |
Eagle | Tok | Tok |
Eagle River | Anchorage | Anchorage |
Eagle Village | Tok | Tok |
Edna Bay | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Eek | Bethel | Bethel |
Egegik | Naknek | Naknek |
Eklutna | Anchorage | Anchorage |
Ekuk | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Ekwok | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Elfin Cove | Sitka | Sitka |
Elim | Nome | Nome |
Emmonak | Emmonak | Bethel |
Ester | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Evansville | Nenana | Nenana |
Community Appearing on Venue Map | Presumptive District Court Trial Site | Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site |
Excursion Inlet | Hoonah | Juneau |
Eyak | Cordova | Cordova |
Fairbanks | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
False Pass | Sand Point | Anchorage |
Ferry | Nenana | Nenana |
Flat | Aniak | Bethel |
Fort Yukon | Fort Yukon | Fairbanks |
Fox | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Gakona | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Galena | Galena | Nenana |
Gambell | Nome | Nome |
Georgetown | Aniak | Bethel |
Girdwood | Anchorage | Anchorage |
Glennallen | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Golovin | Nome | Nome |
Goodnews Bay | Bethel | Bethel |
Grayling | Aniak | Bethel |
Gulkana | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Gustavus | Hoonah | Juneau |
Haines | Haines | Juneau |
Halibut Cove | Homer | Homer |
Hamilton | Emmonak | Bethel |
Happy Valley | Homer | Homer |
Harding-Birch Lakes | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Healy | Nenana | Nenana |
Healy Lake | Delta Junction | Delta Junction |
Hobart Bay | Petersburg | Petersburg |
Hollis | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Holy Cross | Aniak | Bethel |
Homer | Homer | Homer |
Hoonah | Hoonah | Juneau |
Hooper Bay | Bethel | Bethel |
Hope | Anchorage | Anchorage |
Houston | Palmer | Palmer |
Hughes | Nenana | Nenana |
Huslia | Galena | Nenana |
Hydaburg | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Hyder | Ketchikan | Ketchikan |
Iditarod | Aniak | Bethel |
Igiugig | Naknek | Naknek |
Iliamna | Naknek | Naknek |
Ivanof Bay | Naknek | Naknek |
Juneau | Juneau | Juneau |
Kachemak | Homer | Homer |
Kaguyak | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Kake | Petersburg | Petersburg |
Kaktovik | Utqiagvik | Utqiagvik |
Kalifornsky | Kenai | Kenai |
Community Appearing on Venue Map | Presumptive District Court Trial Site | Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site |
Kaltag | Galena | Nenana |
Karluk | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Kasaan | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Kasigluk | Bethel | Bethel |
Kasilof | Kenai | Kenai |
Kenai | Kenai | Kenai |
Kenny Lake | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Ketchikan | Ketchikan | Ketchikan |
Kiana | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
King Cove | Sand Point | Anchorage |
King Island | Nome | Nome |
King Salmon | Naknek | Naknek |
Kipnuk | Bethel | Bethel |
Kivalina | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Klawock | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Klukwan | Haines | Juneau |
Knik | Palmer | Palmer |
Kobuk | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Kodiak | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Kokhanok | Naknek | Naknek |
Koliganek | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Kongiganak | Bethel | Bethel |
Kotlik | Emmonak | Bethel |
Kotzebue | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Koyuk | Unalakleet | Nome |
Koyukuk | Galena | Nenana |
Kupreanof | Petersburg | Petersburg |
Kwethluk | Bethel | Bethel |
Kwigillingok | Bethel | Bethel |
Lake Louise | Palmer | Palmer |
Lake Minchumina | Aniak | Bethel |
Larsen Bay | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Levelock | Naknek | Naknek |
Lignite | Nenana | Nenana |
Lime Village | Aniak | Bethel |
Livengood | Nenana | Nenana |
Lower Kalskag | Aniak | Bethel |
Lower Tonsina | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Manley Hot Springs | Nenana | Nenana |
Manokotak | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Marshall | Bethel | Bethel |
Marys Igloo | Nome | Nome |
McCarthy | Glennallen | Glennallen |
McGrath | Aniak | Bethel |
McKinley Park | Nenana | Nenana |
Medfra | Aniak | Bethel |
Mekoryuk | Bethel | Bethel |
Mendeltna | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Community Appearing on Venue Map | Presumptive District Court Trial Site | Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site |
Mentasta Lake | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Metlakatla | Ketchikan | Ketchikan |
Meyers Chuck | Ketchikan | Ketchikan |
Minto | Nenana | Nenana |
Moose Creek | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Moose Pass | Seward | Seward |
Mountain Village | Bethel | Bethel |
Nabesna | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Naknek | Naknek | Naknek |
Nanwalek | Homer | Homer |
Napaimiut | Aniak | Bethel |
Napakiak | Bethel | Bethel |
Napaskiak | Bethel | Bethel |
Naukati Bay | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Nelchina | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Nelson Lagoon | Sand Point | Anchorage |
Nenana | Nenana | Nenana |
New Stuyahok | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Newhalen | Naknek | Naknek |
Newtok | Bethel | Bethel |
Nightmute | Bethel | Bethel |
Nikiski | Kenai | Kenai |
Nikolaevsk | Homer | Homer |
Nikolai | Aniak | Bethel |
Nikolski | Unalaska | Unalaska |
Ninilchik | Homer | Homer |
Noatak | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Nome | Nome | Nome |
Nondalton | Naknek | Naknek |
Noorvik | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
North Pole | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Northway | Tok | Tok |
Northway Junction | Tok | Tok |
Nuiqsut | Utqiagvik | Utqiagvik |
Nulato | Galena | Nenana |
Nunam Iqua | Emmonak | Bethel |
Nunapitchuk | Bethel | Bethel |
Ohogamiut | Bethel | Bethel |
Old Harbor | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Ophir | Aniak | Bethel |
Oscarville | Bethel | Bethel |
Ouzinkie | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Paimiut | Bethel | Bethel |
Palmer | Palmer | Palmer |
Pauloff Harbor | Sand Point | Anchorage |
Paxson | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Pedro Bay | Naknek | Naknek |
Pelican | Sitka | Sitka |
Community Appearing on Venue Map | Presumptive District Court Trial Site | Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site |
Perryville | Naknek | Naknek |
Petersburg | Petersburg | Petersburg |
Petersville | Palmer | Palmer |
Pilot Point | Naknek | Naknek |
Pilot Station | Bethel | Bethel |
Pitkas Point | Bethel | Bethel |
Platinum | Bethel | Bethel |
Pleasant Valley | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Point Baker | Petersburg | Petersburg |
Point Hope | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Point Lay | Utqiagvik | Utqiagvik |
Port Alexander | Sitka | Sitka |
Port Alsworth | Naknek | Naknek |
Port Clarence | Nome | Nome |
Port Graham | Homer | Homer |
Port Heiden | Naknek | Naknek |
Port Lions | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Port Moller | Sand Point | Anchorage |
Port Protection | Petersburg | Petersburg |
Portage Creek | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Primrose | Seward | Seward |
Prudhoe Bay | Utqiagvik | Utqiagvik |
Quinhagak | Bethel | Bethel |
Rampart | Nenana | Nenana |
Red Devil | Aniak | Bethel |
Red Dog Mine | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Ruby | Galena | Nenana |
Russian Mission | Bethel | Bethel |
Saint George | Saint Paul | Anchorage |
Saint Marys | Bethel | Bethel |
Saint Michael | Unalakleet | Nome |
Saint Paul | Saint Paul | Anchorage |
Salamatof | Kenai | Kenai |
Salcha | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Sand Point | Sand Point | Anchorage |
Savoonga | Nome | Nome |
Saxman | Ketchikan | Ketchikan |
Scammon Bay | Bethel | Bethel |
Selawik | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Seldovia | Homer | Homer |
Seward | Seward | Seward |
Shageluk | Aniak | Bethel |
Shaktoolik | Unalakleet | Nome |
Shemya Station | Unalaska | Unalaska |
Shishmaref | Nome | Nome |
Shungnak | Kotzebue | Kotzebue |
Sitka | Sitka | Sitka |
Skagway | Skagway | Juneau |
Community Appearing on Venue Map | Presumptive District Court Trial Site | Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site |
Skwentna | Palmer | Palmer |
Slana | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Sleetmute | Aniak | Bethel |
Soldotna | Kenai | Kenai |
Solomon | Nome | Nome |
South Naknek | Naknek | Naknek |
Stebbins | Unalakleet | Nome |
Sterling | Kenai | Kenai |
Stevens Village | Fort Yukon | Fairbanks |
Stony River | Aniak | Bethel |
Summit Lake | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Susitna | Palmer | Palmer |
Sutton | Palmer | Palmer |
Takotna | Aniak | Bethel |
Talkeetna | Palmer | Palmer |
Tanacross | Tok | Tok |
Tanana | Nenana | Nenana |
Tatitlek | Valdez | Valdez |
Tazlina | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Telida | Aniak | Bethel |
Teller | Nome | Nome |
Tenakee Springs | Hoonah | Juneau |
Tetlin | Tok | Tok |
Tetlin Junction | Tok | Tok |
Thorne Bay | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Tin City | Nome | Nome |
Togiak | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Tok | Tok | Tok |
Toksook Bay | Bethel | Bethel |
Tonsina | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Tuluksak | Bethel | Bethel |
Tuntutuliak | Bethel | Bethel |
Tununak | Bethel | Bethel |
Twin Hills | Dillingham | Dillingham |
Two Rivers | Fairbanks | Fairbanks |
Tyonek | Kenai | Kenai |
Uganik | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Ugashik | Naknek | Naknek |
Umkumiut | Bethel | Bethel |
Unalakleet | Unalakleet | Nome |
Unalaska | Unalaska | Unalaska |
Unga | Sand Point | Anchorage |
Upper Kalskag Utqiagvik | Aniak Utqiagvik | Bethel Utqiagvik |
Uyak | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Valdez | Valdez | Valdez |
Venetie | Fort Yukon | Fairbanks |
Wainwright | Utqiagvik | Utqiagvik |
Community Appearing on Venue Map | Presumptive District Court Trial Site | Presumptive Superior Court Trial Site |
Wales | Nome | Nome |
Wasilla | Palmer | Palmer |
Waterfall | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
Whale Pass | Prince of Wales (Klawock) | Prince of Wales (Klawock) |
White Mountain | Nome | Nome |
Whittier | Anchorage | Anchorage |
Willow | Palmer | Palmer |
Willow Creek | Glennallen | Glennallen |
Wiseman | Nenana | Nenana |
Womens Bay | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Woody Island | Kodiak | Kodiak |
Wrangell | Wrangell | Wrangell |
Yakutat | Yakutat | Juneau |
Note: Utqiagvik was formerly known as Barrow. |
