Major Crimes Act – Turtle Talk

Tenth Circuit En Banc Petition Materials in U.S. v. Hopson [whether feds can prosecute for lesser included offenses under MCA]

October 28, 2025Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

Panel materials here.

Tenth Circuit Again Vacates Federal Conviction of Indian for Reliance on Unverified Tribal Documents to Prove Indian Status

September 5, 2025Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in United States v. Hatley.

Briefs:

Government Brief

Tenth Circuit Holds Federal Court May Not Convict Indian Country Defendants with Lesser-Included Offenses Not Enumerated in Federal Statute

August 5, 2025Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in United States v. Hopson:

Hopson Opinion Download

Briefs:

Hopson Opening Brief

US Answer Brief

US Supplemental Brief

Hopson Supplemental Brief

Tenth Circuit Reverses Dismissal of Indian Country Murder Case

November 20, 2024Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in United States v. Martinez.

Tenth Circuit Holds CDIB Copy + Tribal Authenticating Testimony Insufficient to Prove Indian Status

October 10, 2024Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in United States v. Harper.

Briefs:

Federal Response Brief

Tenth Circuit Orders New Trial in Indian Country Murder Case over Faulty Self-Defense Jury Instruction

September 9, 2024Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in United States v. Hicks.

Briefs:

Government Brief

Montana Federal Court Declines to Dismiss MCA Prosecution After Tribe Declined to Prosecute

August 27, 2024Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in United States v. King (D. Mont.):

49 Motion to Dismiss

Split Tenth Circuit Panel Vacates Major Crimes Act Conviction Due to Government’s Failure to Prove Indian Status of Defendant

July 23, 2024Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in United States v. Wood.

Briefs:

Opening Brief Download

Pages: 1 2

New Mexico Federal Court Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Major Crimes Act

May 24, 2024Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in United States v. Marquez (D.N.M.):

92 Motion to Dismiss.pdf Download

97 Response.pdf Download

110 DCT Order.pdf Download

Ninth Circuit Affirms MCA Domestic Violence Conviction Where Victim Was Unavailable to Testify Due to Defendant’s Actions

April 19, 2024Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the opinion in United States v. Blackshire.

Briefs:

Government Answer Brief

This is old.