In a press release, the Bishop Paiute Tribe announce that after a nation-wide search for a tribal court judge, the Bishop Paiute Tribal Council interviewed and selected Gary E. LaRance. He is a Hopi Indian.

Judge LaRance graduated from the Santa Clara University School of Law in 1981 where he received his juris doctorate degree in law. He has spent 37 years in the courtrooms of New Mexico, Arizona, Navajo Nation, Hopi Tribe, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nations, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Ak-Chin Indian Community, Colorado River Indian Tribe and Washoe Tribe of Nevada. He has
prosecuted, defended, and tried over 2,000 criminal, juvenile, and civil cases. He has presided as judge over hundreds of other cases.

LaRance has also been an instructor and trainer for Northern Arizona University, National Indian Justice Center, National Institute of Trial Advocacy, National Domestic Violence Prevention Fund, Native American Alliance Foundation andNational Association of Chiefs of Police, teaching criminal law and procedure, evidence, trial advocacy skills, Federal Indian Law, Indian Civil Rights Act, Indian
Child Welfare Act, Healing to Wellness Courts, Domestic Violence, Alcohol and Drug Abuse and Child Neglect and Abuse.

Judge LaRance presently sits on the Tribal Advisory Board for the National Tribal Judicial Center.

Addressing substance abuse on the reservation is a priority for the tribe. With new funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, thetribe now has the unique ability to establish a Youth Tribal Healing to Wellness Court. The tribe was awarded approximately $348,000 over a three-year grant to develop and implement this specialty court. The tribal community believes the
youth are highest priority and there are many opportunities through development and coordination to address concerns of substance abuse among tribal youth.