Bismarck, North Dakota News

" The court system will remain the same "a slap on the wrist" because the May 8, 2008 Court Assessment stated about the Chief Judge; There is a bit of the "I've got to save the poor Indian" philosophy about him, dealing with the criminal defendants who come unrepresented.

Just a ward of advice: Tribal court has become a money-maker, so keep your receipts safe for fines and costs and bonds paid. Don't let the court staff give you a memo form for a receipt. Remember the person you paid your fines and costs and bond to and always Check on your bonds and make sure that it is receipted in for your own protection. "

" Bear:

You didn't just read the same article I read did you? They are better off then the US? I don't think so. Also, the Federal government GIVES Indian reservations the money year after year. No other country gives money to other sovereign nations hence the national debt. "

" People who have comitted murder and rape down there are still walking free with no punishment until they rott. and even today the new criminals walk free. you can pay 25 police men or woman 5 million dollars each and no matter what, The rapist and murders will still walk free until they have harsh punishment nothing will ever be be solved! Native Nation or White mans' world. even today they have a choice of being criminally insane and never ever risk being in prison. but just a mental home. "

" It's not the lack of police officers here on the reservation it's the tribal courts lack of accountability causing all the lawlessness. If the people here knew there was actual consequences and penalties for their wrong doings maybe they would learn from the offenses they have committed. For instances, you get picked up and thrown in jail all you get is a slap on the wrist, you can expect to be in jail for a few days and get away with a very small fine with what ever time suspended and usually probation with the stipulations of no drug or alcohol use and no violation of any tribal law. Slap on the wrist is all it is, and two months later this person could be in court again for what criminal contempt for their previous charges they are all ready on probation for and whatever other new charges they racked up. Crack down on repeat offenders, if a person has no money because they have lack of employment and they can't pay their fine, then let them serve it jail, they obviously got the time. HERE ON STANDING ROCK IT SURE ISN'T THREE STRIKES AND YOUR OUT, NAH YOU JUST GET ANOTHER INNING. "

" The United States owes more money than any sovereign nation. I guess you forgot about your national debt. Indian country is actually better off than the US. "

" The Great Technological Bear:

You're kidding right? "Take their advice under consideration, but do not accept it without carefully considering the consequences." So is that like saying "Let's just keep doing what we are doing?"

I also don't get that you say you don't trust them, but you want their money. I thought the reservation was supposed to be sovereign? Shouldn't that also mean you generate your own money, and not asking for money from other "governments"? "

" That's a good point Standing Rocker. How is everything being handled financially and how will there be checks/balances in the future? What good does fining people do if they have no money? How long before the jails are too full? Then what? "

" I just saw the many names in the Teton Times with enourmous fines that they were given by the court. How are they going to collect these fines? but it seems that the judges, prosecutor, defense attorney and the court administrator are claiming mileage ($300.00+) for Saturdays and Sundays, plus comp time. Does anyone know if they get their regular salary for those days? How about the clerks? Is that "Duties as assigned" by the court administrator without mileage or comp time? After the surge, the top court people will have enough to take a vacation for days on the tribal court. But then...No computers, no court management software, no recording systems, no nothing for the court to operate ....What's going to happen when they spend that $300,000.00 they were given? Is there a plan? Just curious! "

" To Trust: Are you freaking kidding me! Its the other way around, non-Indians(white people) need to prove they are trustworthy to Native Americans. The U.S. has signed hundreds of treaties with Native tribes and broke every single one! Learn your history and get your facts straight before you start talking about trust! "

" Beware the gift of millions to turn the reservation into a police state. The curfews are an experiment for coming marshal law, as are the crackdowns. While there are lackeys being made by the offer of $24mil, realize that the areas must remain under native control. Take their advice under consideration, but do not accept it without carefully considering the consequences. They are not your pals, and things are not as the currently seem. (Do take their money, if you can, however.) "

" native americans have to first "earn the trust "from non native americans, they have a long way to go!! "

" standing rock needs all the police we can get it does not feel safe without all those extra officers we had now when you call for police there is only one on duty and he is way in s.d or way up in n.d it did help with extra protection i often feel for the elderly my mothers car windshield was just broken out well she was asleep there was a big brick laying on it it is so sad someone can do this . "

" Classic example of a Governmental Authority (Ragsdale) lieing and trying to redirect/use the money for other than intended purposes. It is called Misuse of Funds, The Indian Crime Bill means nothing until the Senators take a hard line stance to extend it to cover everybody including the Tribal Governments. The government allocates monies to cover these expenses and the leaders are exploiting ways to steal it before it gets to the place of need, then they do the classic bait and switch, "it is caught up in the system" baloney and who can the people complain to? The tribal government created this mess, let them fix what they forgot in their own back yards before running to Congress begging for more money to embezzle..... "