Administering Justice in Yellowstone - Part 1

In Part One of this multi-part series, Tales from the 10th explores the unique administration of federal justice inside Yellowstone National Park, one of the only places in the country with a full-time magistrate judge and federal courthouse located entirely within a national park.

Host Erin Gust is joined by Yellowstone Magistrate Judge Stephanie Hambrick and former Magistrate Judge Mark Carman to trace the court’s origins, its evolution, and the realities of modern judicial life in the park. The episode begins with the court’s 19th-century roots, including the passage of the 1894 Lacey Act following rampant poaching and the arrest of infamous bison poacher Ed Howell. That legislation not only protected Yellowstone’s wildlife and resources but also created the commissioner role that would later become today’s magistrate judge position.

The judges discuss John Meldrum, Yellowstone’s first magistrate judge, whose 41-year tenure spanned stagecoach robberies, Prohibition, and World War I, and whose home doubled as a courthouse and jail. From there, the conversation moves into the present day, examining the modern Yellowstone docket—ranging from traffic violations and DUIs to wildlife harassment, thermal trespass, and visitor safety cases.

Judge Hambrick and Judge Carman explain how Yellowstone’s court operates differently from most federal courts, including its unique local rule allowing any licensed U.S. attorney to appear without special admission, the frequent use of video hearings and interpreters, and the logistical challenges posed by geography, tourism, and limited cell service. They also describe the park’s small detention facility, seasonal caseload fluctuations, and the close working relationships between the court, park rangers, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office—all housed in the same building.

The episode highlights Judge Carman’s innovative sentencing approaches aimed at education and rehabilitation, particularly for young seasonal workers, and reflects on how policy shifts, COVID-19, and changes in park infrastructure have altered enforcement and court practices over time.

Part One concludes with personal reflections from both judges on their paths to the Yellowstone bench, the challenges and rewards of serving in such an isolated and iconic setting, and why the Yellowstone magistrate judgeship is widely regarded as one of the most unique and coveted judicial positions in the country.