New DOJ, Colorado River tribes partnership set to ease jurisdiction issues in assault cases
The Department of Justice is partnering with the Colorado River Indian Tribes, known as CRIT, for a new project that looks to address domestic violence cases.
The project, which uses an $830,000 grant from DOJ’s Office of Violence Against Women, aims to help prosecute domestic violence and sexual assaults that take place on tribal land. Those cases are often hampered by jurisdictional issues between state, tribal and federal governments.
The grant provides money for CRIT to hire a tribal special assistant U.S. attorney to work alongside the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona on cases in federal court.
CRIT Chairwoman Amelia Flores says the funding will help fill gaps in communication, coordination and jurisdiction between her tribe and the federal government.
CRIT is one of seven tribes nationwide eligible for the grant.
