Proceeding their individual swearing in ceremonies, Gabrielle Herrera and Tasha Rodriguez stand on either side of Chief Judge Scott Moore on Thursday, Aug. 3 inside the Southern Ute Justice Center.

Prosecution Legal Assistant, Tasha Rodriguez raises her right hand and repeats after Chief Judge Scott Moore, completing her swearing in as a Lay Advocate on Thursday, Aug. 3. The role of a Lay Advocate is to assist tribal attorneys in court on cases, while also completing an extensive training process under the attorney to handle cases independently. Rodriguez has been working as the Prosecution Legal Assistant for eight years and has gained valuable experience working with the court, probation, and the police department.

Legal Assistant Gabrielle Herrera repeats after Chief Judge Scott Moore and completes her swearing in as a Lay Advocate for the Court on Thursday, Aug. 3. Herrera has been working as a Legal Assistant since March of 2022, she is a Fort Lewis College alumnus with her bachelor's degree in criminology and justice studies. She is in the process of applying to law school to become an attorney.