Title 25, IndiansRelease 119-110

§3611 Office of Tribal Justice Support

Title 25 › CHAPTER 38 — INDIAN TRIBAL JUSTICE SUPPORT › SUBCHAPTER I — TRIBAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS › § 3611

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Creates an Office of Tribal Justice Support inside the Bureau to help develop, run, and improve tribal justice systems and Courts of Indian Offenses. All work and staff that were part of the Branch of Judicial Services before December 3, 1993, move to the new Office, and any law or rule that mentions the old Branch now means the Office. The Office must give money, training, technical help, research, and oversight to tribes and Courts of Indian Offenses. It must help tribes if asked with things like codes, court rules, case management, dispute resolution, judicial ethics, and long-term planning. Help can be direct, by contract, or by grant. The Office keeps an information clearinghouse and electronic database about tribal courts and must protect private records. The Office may not force tribes to follow justice standards.

Full Legal Text

Title 25, §3611

Indians, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Establishment

There is hereby established within the Bureau the Office of Tribal Justice Support. The purpose of the Office shall be to further the development, operation, and enhancement of tribal justice systems and Courts of Indian Offenses.

(b)Transfer of existing functions and personnel

All functions performed before December 3, 1993, by the Branch of Judicial Services of the Bureau and all personnel assigned to such Branch as of December 3, 1993, are hereby transferred to the Office of Tribal Justice Support. Any reference in any law, regulation, executive order, reorganization plan, or delegation of authority to the Branch of Judicial Services is deemed to be a reference to the Office of Tribal Justice Support.

(c)Functions

In addition to the functions transferred to the Office pursuant to subsection (b), the Office shall perform the following functions:

(1)Provide funds to Indian tribes and tribal organizations for the development, enhancement, and continuing operation of tribal justice systems.

(2)Provide technical assistance and training, including programs of continuing education and training for personnel of Courts of Indian Offenses.

(3)Study and conduct research concerning the operation of tribal justice systems.

(4)Promote cooperation and coordination among tribal justice systems and the Federal and State judiciary systems.

(5)Oversee the continuing operations of the Courts of Indian Offenses.

(6)Provide funds to Indian tribes and tribal organizations for the continuation and enhancement of traditional tribal judicial practices.

(d)No imposition of standards

Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed or construed to authorize the Office to impose justice standards on Indian tribes.

(e)Assistance to tribes

(1)The Office shall provide technical assistance and training to any Indian tribe or tribal organization upon request. Technical assistance and training shall include (but not be limited to) assistance for the development of—

(A)tribal codes and rules of procedure;

(B)tribal court administrative procedures and court records management systems;

(C)methods of reducing case delays;

(D)methods of alternative dispute resolution;

(E)tribal standards for judicial administration and conduct; and

(F)long-range plans for the enhancement of tribal justice systems.

(2)Technical assistance and training provided pursuant to paragraph (1) may be provided through direct services, by contract with independent entities, or through grants to Indian tribes or tribal organizations.

(f)Information clearinghouse on tribal justice systems

The Office shall maintain an information clearinghouse (which shall include an electronic data base) on tribal justice systems and Courts of Indian Offenses, including (but not limited to) information on staffing, funding, model tribal codes, tribal justice activities, and tribal judicial decisions. The Office shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure the confidentiality of records and other matters involving privacy rights.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

25 U.S.C. § 3611

Title 25, Indians

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110