Yesterday, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) released a federal register notice requesting comments on a Tribal Court Survey that they will soon be releasing to all of Indian country. This survey represents a much needed and significant study of tribal court systems, and will serve as “the nation’s key measure of tribal court systems.” This data will be used to inform policy, funding program decisions and future areas of issues to address. Questions range from tribal court structure to case load to collaboration with other sovereigns.
Attached is the Federal Register notice and the survey. Note that there are three versions of the survey attached, one for Lower 48 Tribes, one for Alaska Tribes, and one for Tribes with CFR Courts. Unfortunately, the three versions of the survey were not included in the federal register notice. However, we requested copies from BJS.
BJS is currently accepting comments from the public regarding this survey. We highly encourage you, and especially your tribal court personnel, to take a look and provide any thoughts. Even short responses are welcome, as the quality of this survey will directly impact the quality of the results.
Public comments will be accepted until May 27, 2014.
Submit your comments (and/or questions) to:
Steven Perry
Statistician, Bureau of Justice Statistics
810 Seventh Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20531
(202) 307-0777
Steven.W.Perry@usdoj.gov
Fed. Reg. Notice — Tribal Court Survey Mar. 25, 2014(1) NSTCS Draft_CFR COURT SURVEY_2 5 14(1) NSTCS Draft_AK SURVEY_2 5 14(1) NSTCS Draft__LOWER 48 SURVEY_2 5 14(1)
Tribal Law Updates 