The Oliphant Decision

The Oliphant Decision refers to a significant ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2009, which clarified the legal status of certain tribal courts. It stated that tribal courts do not have jurisdiction to prosecute non-Indians for crimes committed against other non-Indians on tribal land. This decision reinforced the limitations of tribal sovereignty, focusing on the inherent authority of tribes to govern within their territory while also delineating the legal boundaries regarding non-Indian individuals. The ruling prompted discussions about the balance of tribal justice and the rights of non-Indians.