Supreme Court won't hear jurisdiction cases

Tuesday, March 6, 2007  

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear two cases affecting criminal jurisdiction on Pueblo lands in New Mexico.

In June 2006, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that all crimes allegedly committed by Indians fall under the jurisdiction of federal and tribal authorities. The state unsuccessfully argued that it had jurisdiction over the crime that occur on private lands within Pueblo boundaries.

The ruling essentially affirmed the Indian Country status of all lands within Pueblo boundaries, regardless of ownership. Only Congress can diminish a reservation, the court said.

While the case was pending, Congress passed a bill to reaffirm that tribal and federal authorities have jurisdiction over Indian crimes on Pueblo land while the state has jurisdiction over non-Indian crimes.

Get the Story:
Supreme Court denies appeal on New Mexico jurisdiction case (AP 3/5)
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Relevant Links:
New Mexico Supreme Court - http://www.supremecourt.nm.org

Pueblo Jurisdiction Legislation:
Pueblo Jurisdiction Act (S.279) | Native American Technical Corrections Act (H.R.3351)

Related Stories:
New Mexico court affirms Pueblo jurisdiction (06/15)
House passes Pueblo criminal jurisdiction bill (11/17)
Senate approves Pueblo criminal jurisdiction bill (07/27)
New Mexico Supreme Court takes on jurisdiction (02/15)
Bill clarifies criminal jurisdiction on Pueblo land (10/04)
U.S. attorney calls for jurisdiction fix in N.M. (04/19)