California Tribal Justice Initiative

The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget.

The California Indian Legal Services will fund the California Tribal Justice Initiative (CTJI). The CTJI will help tribes develop or enhance their tribal justice systems. The overarching goal is to have an effective tribal justice system for every tribe in California. CTJI will provide the services identified by the tribes as needed to bring a justice system on-line or to enhance their existing systems. These services may include: drafting tribal codes and procedures; providing trainings to tribal court staff and law enforcement; negotiating intergovernmental agreements or memoranda to address local jurisdictional issues and recognition of tribal court orders; providing community education on substantive areas of tribal and federal law; and working with existing state, county, and tribal organizations to foster better cooperation between tribal and local communities.

CTJI's target population is federally-recognized tribal clients and potential clients of the California Indian Legal Services and their tribal justice system staff. The CTJI's success will be measured by the number of tribes served, the specific project deliverables provided to the tribes, and whether every tribe served obtains an effective justice system. Grant funds will support the salaries of the project grant coordinator and staff attorneys who will work with the tribes.

NCA/NCF