---
kind: "section"
citation: "25 U.S.C. § 1311"
title: "25"
title_heading: "Indians"
number: "1311"
heading: "Model code"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/25/1311"
units:
  - "Chapter 15 — Constitutional Rights of Indians"
  - "Subchapter II — Model Code Governing Courts of Indian Offenses"
---

# §1311. Model code


The [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of the Interior is authorized and directed to recommend to the Congress, on or before July 1, 1968, a model code to govern the administration of justice by courts of [Indian](/usc/25/1301.md?p=4) offenses on [Indian](/usc/25/1301.md?p=4) reservations. Such code shall include provisions which will (1) assure that any individual being tried for an offense by a court of [Indian](/usc/25/1301.md?p=4) offenses shall have the same rights, privileges, and immunities under the United States Constitution as would be guaranteed any citizen of the United States being tried in a Federal court for any similar offense, (2) assure that any individual being tried for an offense by a court of [Indian](/usc/25/1301.md?p=4) offenses will be advised and made aware of his rights under the United States Constitution, and under any tribal constitution applicable to such individual, (3) establish proper qualifications for the office of judge of the court of [Indian](/usc/25/1301.md?p=4) offenses, and (4) provide for the establishing of educational classes for the training of judges of courts of [Indian](/usc/25/1301.md?p=4) offenses. In carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/25/5130.md?p=1) of the Interior shall consult with the [Indians](/usc/25/1301.md?p=4), [Indian tribes](/usc/25/1301.md?p=1), and interested agencies of the United States.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 90–284, title III, § 301, Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 78.)