FY 2007 Tribal Legal Services Project

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 Northern Arapaho Fiscal Year 2007 Tribal Court Assistance Program will establish a Tribal Legal Services (TLS) project on the Wind River Indian Reservation. This project will provide a location for the coordination of public defender and other legal services for tribal members directly on the reservation. The two goals of the TLS are to enhance the administration of justice by increasing access to culturally competent legal advice and defender services to indigent defendants, pro se clients, and those representing tribal members; and to build capacity for legal information sharing/education and culturally competent legal representation to tribal members.

The TLS will also offer the following services: 1) coordinate pre-arraignment jail visits/defendant conferencing; 2) assist with the distribution of paperwork from Wyoming Legal Services at the jail and courthouse; 3) coordinate the provision of pro bono legal services and maintain a listing of those advocates willing to participate in the program; 4) provide indigent defense for those unable to pay; 5) provide an explanation of the judicial process to those facing Federal charges and awaiting a Federal public defender; and 6) provide access to legal information through a legal library to the community, legal services providers, and court related agencies regarding tribal law and policy.

CA/NCF