Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Justice

The Pueblo of Isleta is a federally recognized tribe located in central New Mexico. The Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Court and its affiliated entities have identified several key tribal justice concerns that they will address using with this funding, including technological inefficiencies; projected caseload increases; inadequate access to public defender services; rising levels of need for alcohol and drug testing; and physical safety gaps for court staff and attendees. The funding will be used for the following series of necessary updates: purchasing a comprehensive case management system for the Prosecutor's Office and the Public Defender's Office, purchasing laptops for use by tribal prosecutors and public defenders, purchasing a vehicle to facilitate the expansion of the Prosecutor's Office's jurisdiction, hiring an additional public defender to provide conflict counsel, expanding the drug and alcohol testing services provided by the Probation Office, and purchasing critical personal safety equipment and scanning equipment for the court building.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

These updates will benefit the entire Tribal Justice System in the Pueblo of Isleta. The Prosecutor’s and Public Defender’s Office will have the necessary technology to provide well-researched and conflict-free counsel to all clients. The Prosecutor's Office, anticipating a doubling of their caseload, will have accessible transportation and technology to facilitate the increase in their work. The Public Defender's Office will provide counsel to an expanded number of Tribal members with an in-house conflict counsel. The probation office will receive critical investment in drug and alcohol testing apparatuses. Everyone walking into the court building will experience heightened safety outcomes with standard venue screening materials. The Tribal Court and its affiliates will continue to provide service to tribal members during this process. This funding allows the Pueblo of Isleta Tribal Justice System to serve better and protect tribal members.