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The Jefferson Exchange

How a recent Supreme Court decision affects tribal law enforcement

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Law enforcement responsibilities and jurisdictions for Native Americans were already a bit confusing, and then the US Supreme Court threw another stick on the fire.

In its decision in Oklahoma vs Castro-Huerta, the Court expanded the authority of states to get involved in law enforcement matters on tribal lands. The broader picture includes Public Law 280, which already granted some of the same powers to state authorities in some states, including Oregon and California.

We talk through the implications of the recent decision on the Yurok Tribe, which runs its own system of courts.

Guests are Yurok Chief Justice Abby Abinanti and Dawn Baum, who runs the Office of the Tribal Attorney.

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The Jefferson Exchange is Jefferson Public Radio's daily news program focused on issues, people and events across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Angela Decker is the program's senior producer, Charlie Zimmermann is the assistant producer, and Geoffrey Riley hosts the show.