Criminal

Minnesota Federal Court Rejects Constitutional Challenges to Indian Country Criminal Jurisdiction

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the relevant materials in United States v. Johnson (D. Minn.):

103 Johnson Motion to Dismiss.pdfDownload
145 Government’s Response.pdfDownload
180 Johnson Post-Hearing Brief.pdfDownload
185 Government’s Post-Hearing Brief.pdfDownload
187 Magistrate Report and Recommendation.pdfDownload
191 Johnson Objection.pdfDownload
195 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Tenth Circuit Reverses Indian Country Crimes Act Conviction cuz Government Did Not Prove Defendant was Non-Indian

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in United States v. Simpkins.

Briefs:

Opening Brief.pdfDownload
Answer Brief.pdfDownload
Reply.pdfDownload

Fort Peck Tribes Expand its Criminal Jurisdiction over Non-Indians

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

The Fort Peck Tribes Expand Criminal Jurisdiction Over Non-Indians

On August 17th, 2023, the Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board expanded its special jurisdiction over non-Indians under the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 (VAWA).

 

What is VAWA?

Originally passed in 1994, VAWA is the first Federal Legislation acknowledging domestic violence as crime and provides resources to encourage Community Coordinated Responses to prevent violence against Women. Subject for renewal every five years, VAWA has been reauthorized in 2000, 2005, 2013, and in 2022. Each reauthorization builds upon existing protections for victims of domestic violence and will be subject to another reauthorization in 2027. *

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Update on Creek Nation v. Tulsa Briefing

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the briefs in Muscogee (Creek) Nation v. City of Tulsa (N.D. Okla,):

18 Amicus Brief.PDFDownload
28 Tulsa Motion to Dismiss.pdfDownload
32 Creek Nation Reply.pdfDownload
36 Tulsa Reply.pdfDownload

Prior materials here.

Hawai’i Intermediate COA Briefs in Pascua Yaqui Tribe’s Extradition Request (interesting!)

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the available materials in In re the Extradition of Moreno (Haw. Ct. App.):

Opening Brief.pdfDownload
Answer Brief.pdfDownload
Who wouldn’t want to be extradited from Hawai’i to Tucson?

Eighth Circuit Affirms Upward Departure from Sentencing Guidelines in Indian Country DV Case Based on 27 Prior Tribal Court Convictions

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in United States v. Good Left:

Unpublished Opinion:

231295U.pdfDownload
Opening Brief.pdfDownload
Government Brief.pdfDownload
Reply.pdfDownload

Body Cam Footage from Altercation between Creek Lighthorse and Olkmulgee County Jailer

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

From NonDoc:

Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Says Castro-Huerta Means that Congress Didn’t Preempt State Criminal Jurisdiction in Indian Country [No, that’s not the law but nothing matters anymore.]

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Deo v. Parish:

Brief in Support of Mandamus Petition

State Response Brief

Opinions

Proposed State of Oklahoma, Act of June 16, 1906, Proposed forest reserve in southeastern Indian Territory

Washington Federal Court Rejects ICRA Habeas Petitions Challenging Assault Conviction of Council Member

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Sellards-Reck v. Shook (W.D. Wash.):

1 Habeas Petition.pdfDownload
21 Cowlitz Response to Petition.pdfDownload
25 Petitioner Reply.pdfDownload
30 Cowlitz Reply.pdfDownload
31 Magistrate Recommendation.pdfDownload
32 DCT Order Adopting Recommendation.pdfDownload

Oklahoma Federal Court Declines to Overturn Non-Indian Conviction in General Crimes Act Case

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the relevant materials in United States v. Smith (N.D. Okla.):

194 Motion for Acquittal.pdfDownload
207 Response.pdfDownload
208 DCT Order.pdfDownload