Washington COA Holds State Has No Criminal Jurisdiction over Off-Reservation Treaty Fishing Areas

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in State v. Jim.

An excerpt:

Lester R. Jim, an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, appeals a superior court decision reversing the district court’s dismissal of his fishing citations for lack of jurisdiction over the Maryhill Treaty Fishing Access Site (MTFAS). This court granted Mr. Jim discretionary review. We reverse the superior court because the State of Washington lacks jurisdiction to cite Mr. Jim at the MTFAS.