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Brandenburg appointed to CA State-Federal Judicial Council Tribal Court Relations Subcommittee

By Richard Binder

Anthony Brandenburg, chief judge of the Intertribal Court of Southern California, has been appointed by California Chief Justice Ronald M. George, and Senior Circuit Judge Arthur L. Alarcón of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, to serve on the California State-Federal Judicial Council, and as a member of the Tribal Court Relations Subcommittee.

Judge Brandenburg is a retired Superior Court Commissioner, who served on the bench of both municipal and superior courts, and is a recognized leader in both the educational and tribal communities. He has been a university professor for 29 years, teaching law and ethics, as well as curriculum development, and has published articles on the law and related topics. He is past president of the San Diego County Judges Association of the California State Commissioner's Association.

As the first of its kind in California, the Intertribal Court of Southern California (ICSC) is heralded as a model for offering efficient and economic judicial processes to multiple tribes, through shared administration. The founding tribes are the Pala Band of Cupeño Indians, La Jolla Nation of Luiseño Indians, the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, the Pauma Band of Mission Indians, Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, Iipaay Nation of Santa Ysabel, Jamul Indian Village, Los Coyotes Band of Mission Indians, Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, and San Pasqual Band of Indians.

The court, which is located on the Rincon reservation, settles disputes over tribal enrollment, hears Indian child welfare cases, and handles civil infraction violations such as arson and assault. Housing disputes, environmental issues, land use, and trespassing may also be brought to the court. A circuit court serving the 12 member tribes, The ICSC provides court administration, clerks, bailiffs, and case management; the judges make rulings based on each participating tribe?s laws, ordinances, customs, and historical precedent.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on July 07, 2010 (boomark / email).