Oklahoma City, OK— The Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Nations have announced their intervention in support of lawsuits filed against two Oklahoma district attorneys, Matt Ballard and Carol Iski, over allegations that they have violated federal law by attempting to prosecute defendants who are members of the tribes. The lawsuits contend that these cases should be tried in either federal or tribal courts, not in state courts, as the district attorneys have asserted jurisdiction over crimes committed by tribal citizens.
The tribes argue that the district attorneys have ignored established legal frameworks that protect tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction, and they are seeking legal action to ensure that these laws are respected. At the heart of the dispute is the longstanding principle that crimes committed by Native Americans within tribal lands should fall under tribal or federal court jurisdiction, not state courts.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. emphasized the tribe’s commitment to upholding the law and ensuring justice within its own legal system. “Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s confirmation of our reservation, the Cherokee Nation has prioritized our justice system, investing $74 million alone last year, and working with federal, state, and local law enforcement to protect victims and prosecute crimes in which we filed over 25,000 cases,” Hoskin said in a statement. “Our action today is in support of the rule of law.”
The Chickasaw Nation also expressed its full support for the tribes’ legal actions. Governor Bill Anoatubby stressed the importance of maintaining jurisdictional boundaries in law enforcement. “We work with our law enforcement partners across jurisdictional lines every day to ensure Oklahomans are kept safe, and we will continue to do so. In the meantime, we will also act to support the rules that govern our law enforcement systems, as not doing so risks the public’s safety,” Anoatubby stated.
The Choctaw Nation voiced its strong stance on the issue as well, with Chief Gary Batton reinforcing the principle of tribal sovereignty. “The Choctaw Nation fully supports the longstanding principle that the state has no jurisdiction over crimes committed by Indian people in Indian Country,” Batton said. “The Department of Justice is doing the right thing by defending the U.S. Constitution and the principle of tribal sovereignty.”
The intervention by these three major Oklahoma tribes marks a significant legal and political development in the ongoing debate over tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction in criminal cases. The tribes’ legal action aims to prevent further encroachment by state authorities into matters that they argue are firmly within the jurisdiction of tribal and federal courts.
As the case progresses, it could set important precedents for how jurisdictional disputes between state, tribal, and federal authorities are handled, and whether the state will continue to assert its authority over crimes involving Native Americans on tribal lands.
