Southwest Intertribal Court of Appeals (SWITCA)
Who is eligible to join?
Federally recognized Tribes and Pueblos in New Mexico, Arizona, southern Colorado, and west Texas may join the SWITCA to receive impartial appellate review of lower court decisions. SWITCA’s jurisdiction is defined by the participating Pueblo and tribal governments. A Tribe may join SWITCA by tribal resolution. Each Tribe defines SWITCA’s authority for itself and may create any one of a variety of uses for the Court including:
- an independent court of last resort which exercises the appellate powers of the tribe;
- an independent appellate court which issues advisory opinions, only; or,
- an independent intermediate appellate court from which any party may appeal to a higher court as defined by the joining tribe.
See sample tribal resolution available online or call our offices for an electronic copy.
How much does it cost?
What services are provided?
SWITCA provides an appellate court forum.
SWITCA offers trainings, whenever possible, to tribal court judges and tribal court staff, who are
located within New Mexico, Arizona, southern Colorado, and west Texas (SWITCA region).
Other services include technical assistance, legal research, and support services to tribal courts,
tribal judges, and tribal court staff, who are within the SWITCA region.