(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
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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 Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik
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 Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik
Attu Unalaska Unalaska
Auke Bay Juneau Juneau
Ayakulik Kodiak Kodiak
Barrow Barrow Barrow
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
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 Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik
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
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 Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik
Kalifornsky Kenai Kenai
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
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 Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik
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
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 Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik
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 Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik
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
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 Aniak Bethel
Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik
Uyak Kodiak Kodiak
Valdez Valdez Valdez
Venetie Fort Yukon Fairbanks
Wainwright Utqiaġvik Utqiaġvik
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: Utqiaġvik was formerly known as Barrow.
ALASKA COURT SYSTEM
OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN NO. 27 (Revised Effective November 16, 2023)
TO: ALL HOLDERS OF ADMINISTRATIVE BULLETIN SETS:
All Justices Senior Staff
All Judges Central Services
Area Court Administrators Judicial Services Clerk of the Appellate Courts APD Warrants Rural Court Administrators
All Magistrate Judges
All Clerks of Court
Law Libraries at Anchorage, Fairbanks & Juneau
SUBJECT: List of Approved Additional Trial Site Locations
The following sites are approved additional trial site locations under Criminal Rule 18(d):
Add’l Trial Sites for
Add’l Trial Sites for
Six-Person Juries Twelve-Person Juries
First District
Angoon
X
Haines
Kake
X X
Second District
Pt. Hope
Unalakleet
X
X
Third District
St. Paul
Sand Point
X X
Date: November 16, 2023
Effective: November 16, 2023 Stacey Marz
Administrative Director
This bulletin applies to motions filed under Criminal Rule 18(e) on or after November 16, 2023.
Original Order In Effect Since July 23, 1986; amended August 17, 1987, effective January 15, 1988; amended January 19, 1988, effective July 15, 1988; amended June 6, 1988, effective January 15, 1989; amended October 18, 1988, effective January 15, 1989; amended December 13, 1993, effective July 15, 1997; amended October 15, 2002, effective October 15, 2002; amended February 19, 2004, effective April 15, 2004; amended November 8, 2004, effective November 8, 2004; amended August 17, 2005, effective October 15, 2005; amended March 8, 2007, effective March 8, 2007; amended June 29, 2007, effective July 1, 2007; amended July 25, 2008, effective October 15, 2008; amended April 2, 2009, effective April 15, 2009; amended April 15, 2010, effective May 1, 2010; amended July 28, 2014, effective October 15, 2014; amended January 5, 2015, effective January 1, 2015; amended August 7, 2018, effective October 15, 2018; revised effective November 16, 2023.
cc: Attorney General Public Defender Public Advocate
Alaska Bar Association
****
