Cahuilla Tribal Court

The Cahuilla Band of Indians is currently in the process of developing and updating tribal codes and ordinances as well as developing a tribal court to meet the needs of the Cahuilla tribal community. The policy and code development include the Cahuilla Children’s Code, Judicial Code, Court and Civil Procedure Rules, Domestic Violence Code, and General Welfare Code. As the Tribe does not have an established Tribal Court, the Tribe is in the process of entering into an agreement to become a member of the Intertribal Court of Southern California (ICSC) for judicial services including hearing matters arising under Tribal Ordinances and Codes. The ICSC is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that provides court services, conflict resolution, and related educational services to tribes and non-tribal communities in Southern California.

Tribal Court Administrator

Phone | 951-763-5549, ext. 105
Address | 52701 CA Hwy 371, Anza, CA 92539
Email | [email protected]

Cahuilla Tribal Court Team

Seated: February 2022

The Cahuilla Tribal Court Development Team is comprised of enrolled Cahuilla Tribal Members who have volunteered to be a part of the development of the Tribal Court. Members include, Stefanie Anderson Frost, Leonella Leash, Whitney Liera, Gabriela Magee, Vanessa Maldonado, Angela Medrano, Samantha Thornsberry, and Erica Schenck.

Angela Medrano

Tribal Court Committee Member

Phone number Seated: February 2022

Gabriela Magee

Tribal Court Committee Member

Phone number Seated: February 2022

Erica Schenk

Tribal Court Committee Member

Phone number Seated: February 2022

Whitney Liera

Tribal Court Committee Member

Phone number Seated: February 2022

Leonella Leash

Tribal Court Committee Member

Phone number Seated: February 2022

Vanessa Maldonado

Tribal Court Committee Member

Phone number Seated: February 2022
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Background

The Cahuilla Band of Indians (Tribe) in September of 2018, submitted a request to the Tribal Justice Support Directorate (TJS) that a Tribal Court Assessment (TCA) be conducted. The request was approved and the American Indian Development Associates, LLC (AIDA) conducted the assessment in late 2018, the final report was submitted to the Tribe on February 6, 2019.

TCA Summary

The TCA summarizes five distinct areas of focus: (1) Access to Justice; (2) Expedition and Timeliness; (3) Equity, Fairness, and Integrity; (4) Independence and Accountability; and (5) Specific Findings and Needs of the Tribal Court.

Funding

Based on the TCA, the Tribe received from the BIA One-Time Funding/Tribal Court Assessments (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Tribal Justice Support Directorate) Technical assistance and the one-time funding to assist the Tribe in the development of ordinances, codes, and a tribal court. The Tribe received in 2019 – a One (1) One Time Funding Grant in the amount of $173,061.00, plus an Indirect Cost of $41,706.00 for a total of $214,767.00. In 2023, an additional request for one-time funding was requested to fund a strategic justice plan, ICSC membership, and educational trainings.