Supporters expect House passage of Tribal Law and Order Act

Law | Politics

Friday, June 25, 2010

The Senate passed the Tribal Law and Order Act as part of another bill on Wednesday and supporters said they expected passage in the House.

The Tribal Law and Order Act strengthens law and order on reservations and in Alaska Native villages. It encourages more prosecution of crime in Indian Country, increases penalties for reservation offenders, reauthorizes key programs and establishes consistent protocols to address sexual violence.

One significant provision requires the Justice Department to report on the cases it declines to prosecute in Indian Country. Statistics show that about half of the cases are never prosecuted.

Another provision allows tribal courts to impose sentences of up to three years. But the bill limits the conditions in which a longer sentence may be imposed and it requires tribal courts to adhere to standards common in the U.S. court system, such as providing a defendant with a right to an attorney.

The bill also includes provisions to improve law enforcement in Alaska Native villages, whose lands are not typically considered reservations or Indian Country.

The Tribal Law and Order Act passed the Senate as part of H.R.725, the Indian Arts and Crafts Amendments Act of 2010.

Get the Story:
Expansion of tribal courts' authority passes Senate (The Denver Post 6/25)
Senate OKs tribal crime measure (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 6/25)
Foster and Salmon pleased tribal law act would boost village police resources (Alaska Newspapers 6/25)

Tribal Law and Order Act:
S.797 | H.R.1924