April 2, 2018 / Modified apr 3, 2018 10:50 a.m.

UA Law Students Gaining Experience in Tribal Court

Students arguing criminal cases in Pascua Yaqui Tribal Court.

Law School UA law students are getting real-world experience in Pascua Yaqui Tribal Court.
Tony Perkins

Some future lawyers are gaining courtroom experience in tribal justice. They are playing key roles in arguing criminal cases in Pascua Yaqui Tribal Court.

James Diamond, the law professor who supervises the program, calls it a unique experience. He directs the University of Arizona Tribal Justice Clinic, and said the students are learning lessons that can't be taught on campus.

"They're dealing with real cases, real conflict, real complications. And learning how to strategize is important," he said. "It's something you just don't get in the classroom."

The students taking part in the program are in their second or third year of law school. They also work with other legal issues involving the Native American community, ranging from the Dakota Access Pipeline to drafting a code of evidence for the Tohono O'odham Nation.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona