Us Code § 3651 - Findings
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 3651 — Findings, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 3651. Findings
The Congress finds and declares that—
(1) there is a government-to-government relationship between the United States and Indian tribes;
(2) Indian tribes are sovereign entities and are responsible for exercising governmental authority over Indian lands;
(3) the rate of violent crime committed in Indian country is approximately twice the rate of violent crime committed in the United States as a whole;
(4) in any community, a high rate of violent crime is a major obstacle to investment, job creation and economic growth;
(5) tribal justice systems are an essential part of tribal governments and serve as important forums for ensuring the health and safety and the political integrity of tribal governments;
(6) Congress and the Federal courts have repeatedly recognized tribal justice systems as the most appropriate forums for the adjudication of disputes affecting personal and property rights on Native lands;
(7) enhancing tribal court systems and improving access to those systems serves the dual Federal goals of tribal political self-determination and economic self-sufficiency;
(8) there is both inadequate funding and an inadequate coordinating mechanism to meet the technical and legal assistance needs of tribal justice systems and this lack of adequate technical and legal assistance funding impairs their operation;
(9) tribal court membership organizations have served a critical role in providing training and technical assistance for development and enhancement of tribal justice systems;
(10) Indian legal services programs, as funded partially through the Legal Services Corporation, have an established record of providing cost effective legal assistance to Indian people in tribal court forums, and also contribute significantly to the development of tribal courts and tribal jurisprudence; and
(11) the provision of adequate technical assistance to tribal courts and legal assistance to both individuals and tribal courts is an essential element in the development of strong tribal court systems.
(Pub. L. 106–559, §2, Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2778.)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
Pub. L. 106–559, §1, Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2778, provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter and amending section 3621 of this title and sections 1629e and 1629g of Title 43, Public Lands] may be cited as the 'Indian Tribal Justice Technical and Legal Assistance Act of 2000'."
Availability of Funds for Courts or Law Enforcement Officers of Certain Tribes or Villages
Pub. L. 108–199, div. B, title I, §112(a)(1), Jan. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 62, which prohibited use of funds provided in div. B of Pub. L. 108–199 or on or after Jan. 23, 2004, for courts or law enforcement officers for a tribe or village in which fewer than 25 Native members live in the village year round or that is located within certain areas, was repealed by Pub. L. 111–211, title II, §247(e)(1), July 29, 2010, 124 Stat. 2297.
About This Section
25 U.S.C. § 3651 is part of Title 25 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 25 U.S.C. § 3651. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.