Enhancement of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Court

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 Ute Mountain Ute Reservation will utilize Tribal Courts Assistance Program Category III Enhancing the Operation of Tribal Courts funds to hire key tribal court personnel and preserve the tribal court records. The project will include hiring a bailiff to maintain safety, order, decorum, and the dignity of the tribal court while in session; enhancing probation services which will increase tribal court expertise and professionalism, improve overall services, and reduce recidivism rates; contracting with a Guardian ad Litem who will follow-up with each subject, provide a written report, and recommend tribal court actions that will be in the best interest of the child or adult; and preserving the tribal court's records by purchasing a system to scan and archive all of the inactive files. These four activities will provide the tribal court with the enhancements necessary to improve tribal court functioning.

CA/NCF