PLACERVILLE, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 7, 2015) - On Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, an historic cross swearing-in enables state judges of El Dorado County to preside in Shingle Springs Tribal Court and the chief judge of the Shingle Springs Tribal Court to preside as a judge pro tem over state court matters.
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Chairman Nicholas Fonseca swore in Superior Court of El Dorado County's judges to the Tribal Court of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians at the Tribe's Red Hawk Casino. The chief judge of the Shingle Springs Tribal Court was sworn in as a judge pro tem to the Superior Court of El Dorado County in Placerville, Calif.
Hon. Christine Williams, chief judge of the Shingle Springs Tribal Court, and Hon. Suzanne N. Kingsbury, presiding judge of the Superior Court El Dorado County, will oversee the tribal-state joint jurisdiction court, the first of its kind in California. This landmark court will hear cases in tribal court by a state court judge and a tribal court judge, together.
The two judges applied through a competitive process to receive training and technical assistance in developing the court from Project TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More). Project TEAM is funded through a Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, grant and is intended to help tribes and local jurisdictions develop joint justice initiatives.
The collaborative court will serve as a model for other tribal and state court judges. The judges will start hearing cases this spring.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Kim Stoll
Director of Public Relations
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
530-387-4183 or 775-232-4976
