Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Court Planning 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 Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of Trinidad Rancheria (Trinidad Rancheria) will support the planning and implementation of a single tribal court system. The Trinidad Rancheria Tribe does not currently have a tribal law enforcement system or a formal judicial system. The Trinidad Rancheria Tribe will be conducting tribal court operations in a location separate from other tribal offices. During the planning stage, Trinidad Rancheria will be hiring a court consultant to develop project and job descriptions, form an advisory council, and conduct a judicial needs analysis. The implementation stage will include drafting the judicial policies, procedures, and ordinances, contracting with a chief judge and associate judge on a part-time or as needed basis, hiring a part-time court clerk who will be responsible for the day to day court operations, and hiring a bailiff who will attend hearings for security purposes and maintain order in the court.

CA/NCF