Agua Caliente starting its own court in Palm Springs as tribal government grows

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians plan to establish its own court this fall that will provide for the first time a venue for civil cases involving tribal law.

After more than six years of development, the courthouse is expected to open in October at 980 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way on reservation land in Palm Springs.

Agua Caliente showed its plans at a joint session between the elected tribal council and the Palm Springs City Council Thursday evening. The meeting, the first of its kind since 2018, was meant to show cooperation and unity between the two governing bodies while providing updates on various projects of mutual interest.

"The tribal government is growing and maturing, and as a sovereign tribal government, the creation of a tribal court is a natural next step in the process of growing the government," said the tribe's general counsel, John Plata.

Previously, a patchwork of federal, state and local court systems were used to adjudicate tribal law. The Palm Springs courthouse will offer tribal members and those seeking damages from the tribe a convenient location to seek justice.

Generally, matters that arise on tribal land such as contract law, taxation disputes, unlawful detainer and child welfare will be handled by the new court. Many tribal members expressed a desire for elder and dependent adult protection to be handled by Agua Caliente rather than the county.

"That was focus of the comments we got back from tribal members and the tribal community," Plata said of the adult protection capabilities of the new court, "removing that responsibility from the county and creating a process where we can handle that need in the community ourselves."

Judge Joseph Wiseman , who is not a tribal member but has served as judge for a number of tribes throughout his career, will preside over the court.

The Agua Caliente Bar Association will also be created so lawyers can become accredited on tribal law.

Previously, Palm Springs Unified School District operated out of the buildings at the court's location. In addition to the court, the Agua Caliente Gaming Commission operates at the former school district site.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Agua Caliente starting its own court in Palm Springs as tribal government grows