Potawatomi Tribal Court Enhancement Project

This award is made under the FY 2008 Tribal Courts Assistance Program (TCAP) 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 Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Tribe resides on the Pine Creek Reservation in Calhoun County in the southern central area of Michigan. The FY 2008 TCAP grant will help the Tribe ensure the continuity of tribal traditions and culture while maintaining its sovereignty and self-determination. The Tribe will utilize this grant to write and enact Tribal Court Codes, Rules, and Procedures. The development and enactment of these Codes, Rules, and Procedures will allow the Tribe to ensure that the adjudication process is fair and equitable. The objectives of the grant are to write and enact a Criminal Code, Legislative Code, Juvenile Delinquency Code, Child Protection Code, Housing Code, and Zoning Code; enhance the administrative functions of the Tribal Court by developing rules for Appellate Procedure, Recognition and Entitlement to Enforcement of Foreign Court Judgments, Criminal and Civil Procedures, and Jury Selection; and develop procedures for critical court administrative functions such as, filing court documents, creating court files, and intake and disbursement of funds. The Tribal Court will undertake this effort in collaboration with the Tribal Council, Tribal members, and Tribal staff.

CA/NCF