Here is the federal court complaint:
Spirit Lake Tribal Court
Eighth Circuit Briefing Complete in United States v. Cavanaugh–Challenge to Use of Uncounseled Tribal Court Convictions
Since this is also a challenge to a federal statute, expect a strong cert petition from the US if it loses this case in the Eighth Circuit. If not, then look for a circuit split down the line.
Here are those materials:
US v Cavanaugh Appellant Brief
Earlier posting with lower court materials here.
Federal Court Dismisses Indictment in Indian Country Domestic Violence; Questions Constitutionality of Statute
Here is United States v. Cavanaugh (D. N.D.), where the court dismissed an indictment under the federal domestic violence by a habitual offender in Indian Country statute (18 U.S.C. 117), holding that the use of prior uncounseled tribal court D.V. convictions to establish the “habitual” element of the crime was unconstitutional. See my paper on how state courts should use, if at all, uncounseled tribal court convictions. The court rejected claims that the statute itself was unconstitutional under Morrison and Lopez.
Here are the materials:
Cavanaugh DCT Order on Motion to Dismiss
Turtle Talk 