On May 13, 2024 a videoconferencing call was held via zoom to discuss the grantee's TTA Needs Assessment, as well as meeing staff that had not been on previous calls.
TTA Needs Assessment Snapshot Washoe Tribe:
Goals from narrative:
1) Build capacity for the tribal court by hiring two staff members to support court operation.
2) Hire Court Security Guard
3) Hire a court coordinator/office manager to process court documents related to initiating new cases and motions.
From TTA NA:
We have a list of goals but would need assistance to develop a strategic plan
Would like to include Tribal customs and tradition currently through project
Hiring: Administrative Assistant 1
Need training for new or current staff: Currently, the Court Clerk and Court Clerk Coordinator will be attending a training and standards testing in NM at the end of April. We might have follow-up on this.
Data collection and information sharing strategies: They have a case filing system that can extract data. We are in the process of court records scanning and learning more about this software to further utilize these features. We are open to learning about additional data collecting systems. Also, ways to archive cases files/record-keeping.
Community Needs Assessment/engagement
Multi-jurisdictional response/collaborations
Tribal Code development, Tribal Policy development
Tribal Court planning and implementation,
Court security,
Data management (case file system, computer databases, generating reports, etc.)
Developing Self-Help websites
Developing Self Help/Pro Se Forms
Alternative/Restorative sentencing options
Circle Keeping and Peacemaking Facilitator Training
Establishing other restorative justice systems, processes, practices,
alternatives to incarceration
Webinars/Podcasts:
Diversion from and alternatives to incarceration
Appellate Courts (Example: Development and implementation)
Implementation of enhanced authorities and provisions under the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) and the Violence Against Women (VAWA) Reauthorization Act of 2022
Publications:
Tribal Courts (Example: Tribal Court Clerk Manual, Tribal Pro Se Guides)
Diversion from and alternatives to incarceration programs
Appellate Courts (Example: Development and implementation)
TA Delivery:
Site Visit to another Tribe
Regional
On-Site
Interested in peer-to-peer learning: yes
Interested in site visit to another tribe: Tribal Court with Legal Aid Services/Pro Se Programs, Tribal Court with Restorative Justice Programs/Practices , Tribal Court with Alternative Sentencing Programs/Practices , Tribal Joint Jurisdiction Court
Notes from discussion on the call:
Introductions: Linda Tobey Jensen - Grants Manager for Washoe; Bernadette Nieto - Tribal Administrator; Sharon Thompson - Judge (1 of 2) at Washoe, lives in Fargo, ND ; Recca Perez Walker - Court Clerk Coordinator - manage the courts, clerks, and work with all the cases; Judge Simpson - not able to join, 1 of 2 judges at Washoe
Needs Assessment:
Strategic Plan - do not have one but on their list of goals; they are embarking on a Tribal wide Strategic Plan, they just got RFP's out to bring in someone to do an overall SP. Last one was completed prior to 2015
They would love a plan to come up with something for just their justice system. Health Center and TANF have own strategic plan so would be normal for Washoe departments to have separate from overall Tribal SP.
Tribal Codes: They do have pretty extensive Tribal Code that is well written, there are a few areas where they can improve but don't think this is a high priority for this project.
Tribal Custom and Tradition: They would like to include this through the project. Initially they put no because they were not sure but think this is something they could look into when they do assessment. We can share resources around this - what other tribes are doing, how they are doing it, etc. The Code it does allow Tribal customs to be considered so it is already there
Webinar would be helpful on HOW to better incorporate the traditions
Policies and Procedures for project staff: We can share some samples for specific staff positions that they can review to see if this is something they would like to create. These are being developed, per Judge Thompson, to make sure that we are staying within the scope of the grant
Staffing/Hiring/Training: Court Clerk and Court Security Officer were both hired, no other positions under this grant
Court Security - He went to a training this past week but funding coming from another grant. Always open to other suggestions we may have.
Court Clerk: Went to a training a few weeks ago but was handled from a different grant
Administrative Assistant 1 position is open for recruitment, but they are funding this through another grant
Data Collection: Incorporating scanned files into Right Trak and they are still working through this process so everything will be digitized eventually
Tribal Justice System: Community Needs assessment/engagement - they are still working through this process
Multi-jurisdictional responses: this will be pretty new to the court staff around how to engage law enforcement - how to approach different aspects with local law enforcement. They are working and developing MOUs. A lot of inter jurisdictional collaboration has been spearheaded by law enforcement with requests from state and county agencies to have warrants domesticated and such that tie in the Tribal Court.
Tribal Code Development/Policy Development: Tribal Code development is low priority (See above)
Tribal Policy development: Court Security attendant is working on policies and procedures for court security. Looking for resources here because really starting from scratch to build the foundation and would be open to assistance.
Public Defender/Pro Se/ Self Help: Wonder if they could develop something a little more detailed. Currently just forms in different categories. Would like to see more resources and what other Tribes are doing to make it more self-help. Something more self-help available within the court, even if some sort of kiosk or something would also be great.
Do they have any collaborations with legal aid clinics for self-help support: Don't believe they have explored this before, open to suggestions on how/what other Tribes are doing.
Diversionary, Alternative or Traditional Courts/Forums: In prior staffing, there has been discussions around considering alternative courts, restorative justice, healing to wellness court but that is not a primary focus for the Tribal Court at this time
Webinars/Podcasts: Appellate Courts - work with Inter Tribal Court of Appeals - do not have appellate court - They may be more interested in Peacemaking Facilitator/Circle Keeping
VAWA and TLOA - think they are interested in learning more about implementing
Pre-Trial Services: They are interested to see what other Tribes are doing
Publications: Think the Traditional Forums are a little higher than indicated and Appellate Courts lower
TTA Delivery: Any method of TTA is great for them, they are pretty flexible and open to any of the options listed
Other TTA Needs: Different ways to archive case files and record keeping
TA Providers are working with Suzanne Garcia, also with TLPI, as she is very knowledgeable and familiar with the Tribe.
Resources Shared: Court Administration Resource and Training Announcements for upcoming conferences - AIJC and NAICJA
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