With funding, the washoe tribe of nevada and california will build capacity for the tribal court by hiring two staff members to support court operations

The Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California received a $898,029 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (CFDA 16.596 - Tribal Justice Assistance Program) to build capacity for the Washoe Tribal Court. The funding will support the hiring of two new positions - a Court Coordinator/Office Manager and a Court Security Guard. The Court Coordinator will process court documents, maintain the court docket, and assist the Tribal Court Judge, Prosecutor, and the public. The Court Security Guard will develop and implement a judicial security plan, conduct court screenings, ensure order, and facilitate the flow of persons in the courtroom. These new hires will enable the Washoe Tribal Court to accommodate increased caseloads and address complex cases involving substance abuse, violence, and mental illness within the tribal community. The grant award period runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2028.

The positions to be hired includes a court coordinator/office manager to process court documents related to initiating new cases and motions. This new position will provide critical supports to maintaining the tribal courts docket and assisting the tribal court judge, the prosecutor, and the general public. The proposal will also support a court security guard that will develop and maintain a tribal judiciary security plan. This position will implement court security screenings, ensure order in the court, assist with offenders and jurors, and facilitate the flow of persons throughout the courtroom. The washoe tribal court needs these positions to accommodate increased caseloads and the complexity of cases involving substance abuse, violence, and other crimes involving individuals with mental illness.