The Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 is a law, signed into effect by President Obama, that expands the punitive abilities of tribal courts across the nation. The law allows tribal courts operating in Indian country to increase jail sentences handed down in criminal cases. This was a major step toward improving enforcement and justice in Indian country. Before this law, tribal courts were limited in the scope of punishment they could hand down in criminal cases, giving them the impression of a lower, less serious court. They now possess the power under the Tribal Law and Order Act to pass increased sentences at the court's discretion. Justice issues on Indian reservations Once individual Indian Reservations began creating and operating Tribal Courts they were faced with multiple issues including jurisdictional questions, length of sentences that could be imposed, and sentencing guidelines to name a few. These newly formed Tribal Courts also found themselves dealing with a very large domestic violence problem on their Reservations. This problem became such an issue that it caught the attention of the United States Department of Justice. Passage of the Act In 2007, the National Congress of American Indians passed a resolution at its Midyear conference in Anchorage, Alaska, calling for Congress to redirect the law enforcement priorities of the Department of Justice on Indian reservations, and to empower tribal government law enforcement. Scholars, such as Kevin Washburn, had written extensively about the problem and the lack of tribal involvement in federal criminal justice on Indian reservations in 2007. In 2008, Denver Post reporter Michael Riley published a four-part series of articles called "Lawless Lands; The Crisis in Indian Country" drawing attention to the problem. The reporter later won the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award for the legal reporting, further drawing attention to the issue. This attention was followed by several years of hearings and legislative drafting in the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. In 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder made it a Department of Justice priority to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in Indian Country. Beginning with a Tribal Nations Listening Tour in October 2009, Attorney General Holder and other Department officials met with tribal leaders to engage in a dialogue on public safety and law enforcement issues critical to tribal communities. The Justice officials heard from tribal leaders about the pressing need for federal legislation and financial resources