Planning and Implementing a Single Tribe Court System

This award is made under the FY 2007 Tribal Courts Assistance Program and it supports the development, implementation, enhancement, and continuing operation of tribal justice systems. Allowable elements under the program may include, but are not limited to: establishing a core structure for a tribal court, improving case management, training court personnel, acquiring additional equipment and/or software, enhancing prosecution and indigent defense, supporting probation diversion and alternative sentencing programs, accessing services, focusing on juvenile services and multi disciplinary protocols for child physical and sexual abuse, and structuring intertribal or tribal appellate systems.

The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians will use their Fiscal Year 2007 Tribal Courts Assistance Program grant funds to hire and train staff and to develop the infrastructure needed for the implementation of a family court. Also, funding would be used to implement the family court and to begin hearing cases. Several issues that the western system has failed to effectively address are the high rates of alcoholism, domestic violence and youth crime that plague Native American Nations. Hence, the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians proposes to provide efficiency in developing and implementing the family court by accomplishing the following: 1) hire a part time court administrator and judge; 2) identify a location for the court; 3) obtain training for court personnel; 4) educate the community about the court system; 5) develop a court data and records management system; 6) begin any necessary compacts with local, state and federal agencies; 7) begin assigning cases to the court; and 8) identify private and federal financial resources.

CA/NCF