Should Indian Tribal Courts Handle Civil Suits?

[Reddie]

A crime was committed on Indian land by someone who isn't an Indian. It is claimed that he molested an Indian boy. The Indians want him tried in a tribal court because the crime was committed on the reservation but the scumbag's lawyers want to have him tried in a "US court" because under the law Tribal courts don't have the power to bring to justice non-Indians who've committed crimes on Indian land.

What do you think? Should the laws be amended so people who commit crimes on Indian land should be tried by tribal courts?

 

[dogtowner]

Not sure law is the decider here.
Treaties are.
If it was written into the treaty that they have the authority then it's settled. Congress had to sign off on that treaty.

 

[BigRob]

A crime was committed on Indian land by someone who isn't an Indian. It is claimed that he molested an Indian boy. The Indians want him tried in a tribal court because the crime was committed on the reservation but the scumbag's lawyers want to have him tried in a "US court" because under the law Tribal courts don't have the power to bring to justice non-Indians who've committed crimes on Indian land.

What do you think? Should the laws be amended so people who commit crimes on Indian land should be tried by tribal courts?

No. It's fairly clear in established law that tribal courts have no jurisdiction over non-Indians.