Previously passed by the House on Wednesday, July 21 a major piece of legislation affecting law enforcement within tribal communities will be signed by the President tomorrow, Thursday July 29th.
The Tribal Law & Order Act of 2009 grants Tribal Courts the authority to impose harsher sentences and requires U.S. Attorneys to keep a better record of declinations involving Indian Country among other provisions. The Act also grants Tribal Courts the authority to impose a sentence of three years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000 for a single count. Those are raised from the previous maximums of one year imprisonment and a $5,000 fine as outlined in the Indian Civil Rights Act.
President Obama said in a statement after it’s initial passing through the house, “The federal government’s relationship with tribal governments, its obligations under treaty law, and our values as a nation require that we do more to improve public safety in tribal communities. And this Act will help us achieve that.”
-Alexa Gitler