Ponca Tribal Court Enhancement Project

The purposes of the FY 2009 Tribal Courts Assistance Program (TCAP) are to develop new tribal courts, improve the operations of existing tribal courts, and provide training and technical assistance for tribal court staff. The TCAP program goals are to provide planning grants that will focus on establishing tribal courts by supporting the development of comprehensive strategy and implementation plans, provide grants for existing tribal court systems to enhance tribal court services, and provide planning grants for tribal justice system strategies.

The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma will utilize funds to enhance the operation and capacity of the Ponca Tribal District Court system. The primary goal of this project will be to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the Ponca Tribal District Court to provide quality tribal court services and to improve the processing of caseloads. Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma will establish an appellate court with sufficient judicial personnel and an adequate tribal code by hiring a court clerk, appellate court judge, bailiff, and attorney. Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma will train all staff and ensure they obtain proper certifications in court operations. The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma will also provide the necessary technology for the tribal court to collect, manage, store, and share information by acquiring the Judicial Enforcement Management System (JEMS). The system will allow for detailed tracking of all case types.

CA/NCF