Snoqualmie Tribal Court Planning and Implementation Project

This award is made under the FY 2008 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 Snoqualmie Indian Tribe lands occupy the western region of Washington State and stretch from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the shores of Puget Sound. The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe will utilize FY 2008 Tribal Courts Assistance Program funds to develop and implement a Tribal Court that will provide Snoqualmie Indian Tribe members with access to justice in a culturally appropriate manner that allows the Tribe to maintain and assert its jurisdiction over Tribal members on Snoqualmie Indian Tribe lands. The Tribal Court will develop a complete implementation plan that includes staffing, facilities, and budgetary needs for a minimum of three years of Tribal Court operations. The plan will also include the policies, procedures, and rules that will govern daily Tribal Court operations. The primary project objectives will be to establish a Snoqualmie Tribal Court Planning and Implementation Project Advisory Team that will guide and oversee Tribal Court development and implementation activities; develop a Tribal Court system that will serve the criminal court and Indian Child Welfare needs of Snoqualmie Tribal members; develop a complete implementation plan for Tribal Court implementation activities; develop a data collection and tracking system; develop an evaluation system that will track Tribal Court effectiveness; create agreements and collaborations with potential Tribal Court service providers; and recruit and train staff members to perform essential Tribal Court Functions.

CA/NCF