presence
03-09-2013, 06:06 PM
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. March 8, 2013
"We live here," said Engel. "We engage the community here. We have an understanding of the crimes and crime scenes and we have Hopi juries here and it gives us an advantage. There are some cases I believe the tribal courts can more effectively prosecute."
With its new criminal code, the Hopi Tribe is the first tribe of its size prepared to put new laws that give more power to tribal courts into action — laws like the 2010 Tribal Law and Order Act (http://www.justice.gov/tribal/tloa.html) and the Violence Against Women Act (http://www.fronterasdesk.org/news/2013/feb/28/house-sends-enhanced-vawa-president-sign/).
The Tribal Law and Order Act provides tribes with more officers, more training, better access to criminal databases and enhanced sentencing. The new Violence Against Women Act includes a provision that gives tribal courts the authority to deal with non native offenders.
There are conditions, however. Tribes must have criminal codes in compliance with these laws and state bar certified judges and attorneys.
"This makes me proud because the Hopi Tribe has already taken a step to meet those requirements," said Hopi Tribal Chairman LeRoy Shingoitewa. All of this helps Hopi and other tribes strengthen control over the crimes that happen on their land.
"Tribal sovereignty is truly a valuable asset but it also gives us that opportunity to exercise that sovereignty by developing the laws and actually implementing them,"
http://www.fronterasdesk.org/news/2013/mar/08/hopi-revises-criminal-code-regains-sovereignty/
"We live here," said Engel. "We engage the community here. We have an understanding of the crimes and crime scenes and we have Hopi juries here and it gives us an advantage. There are some cases I believe the tribal courts can more effectively prosecute."
With its new criminal code, the Hopi Tribe is the first tribe of its size prepared to put new laws that give more power to tribal courts into action — laws like the 2010 Tribal Law and Order Act (http://www.justice.gov/tribal/tloa.html) and the Violence Against Women Act (http://www.fronterasdesk.org/news/2013/feb/28/house-sends-enhanced-vawa-president-sign/).
The Tribal Law and Order Act provides tribes with more officers, more training, better access to criminal databases and enhanced sentencing. The new Violence Against Women Act includes a provision that gives tribal courts the authority to deal with non native offenders.
There are conditions, however. Tribes must have criminal codes in compliance with these laws and state bar certified judges and attorneys.
"This makes me proud because the Hopi Tribe has already taken a step to meet those requirements," said Hopi Tribal Chairman LeRoy Shingoitewa. All of this helps Hopi and other tribes strengthen control over the crimes that happen on their land.
"Tribal sovereignty is truly a valuable asset but it also gives us that opportunity to exercise that sovereignty by developing the laws and actually implementing them,"
http://www.fronterasdesk.org/news/2013/mar/08/hopi-revises-criminal-code-regains-sovereignty/