Tribal courts are an integral and essential part of the emerging economic development of Indian Country. The United States Congress has repeatedly recognized that "tribal justice systems are an essential part of tribal governments and serve as important forums for ensuring public health and safety and the political integrity of tribal governments.” At the same time, they acknowledge that "tribal justice systems are inadequately funded, and the lack of funding impairs their operation." Tribal courts strive to address complex issues with far fewer financial resources than their federal and state counterparts. Further, they must also "strive to respond competently and creatively to federal and state pressures coming from the outside, and to cultural values and imperatives from within." (http://www.naicja.org/justice_testimony.htm) In order to maintain law and order and deter crime, it is vital that Indian tribes receive more funding to develop and enhance tribal justice and law enforcement systems.

The fact that tribal courts receive less funding than the state and federal courts is unconstitutional. The constitution guarantees that no person shall be denied the same pr

Crime is a problem in Indian countries, and more funding to improve the judicial process could help to stop it. Americans have come to expect protection of their basic rights, a sense of justice, and freedom from fear. A responsive, professional criminal justice system makes this possible. Today, many Indian citizens receive police, investigative, and detention services that are not only inadequate, but also suffer by comparison to this country's poorest jurisdictions. Information from the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), U.S. Attorneys, researchers, and tribal leaders themselves depicts a stark contrast between public safety in Indian Country and the rest of the United States. Nationwide, for example, violent crime has declined significantly between 1992 and 1996. The overall violent crime rate has dropped about 17 percent, and homicides are down 22 percent. For the same period, however, the BIA reports that homicides in Indian Country rose sharply. (http://www.usdoj.gov/otj/icredact.htm#CRIME. "Crime on Indian reservations continues to increase while overall crime is down," said Wilma Bordeaux, program administrator for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Her area suffers from a lack of programs, funding, treatment, and juvenile correctional facilities. (http://www.ncpc.org/tsav.htm) The United States Congress has recognized the important role of tribal courts in the deterrence of crime and the development of tribal self-sufficiency and self-government, but they have done little to aid the system. Tribal court systems are largely under-funded to deal with these critical criminal justice problems.

Tribal Courts are in grave need of extra funding and until the United State’s government steps in to help, it will remain in the position of despair. It would be the constitutionally correct action for the government to take. Once they are adequately aided,

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