Right now, the tribal court at Spirit Lake appears neither strong nor stable nor independent, at least from the outside. That perception almost certainly is hurting tourism and other economic development indicators. So, if tribal leaders are looking for improvements, they should know that boosting the court's stature and independence would go a long way. The need for an independent judiciary was described in the Federalist Papers and remains true to this day. "It is essential as a principle to establish the idea that the rule of law depends on an independent judiciary," said Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2007.Get the Story:
OUR OPINION: A goal for the Spirit Lake Tribe: Judicial independence (The Grand Forks Herald 7/21)
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