A circuit judge in South Carolina is refusing to dismiss a lawsuit over the Catawba Nation's leadership.

A group of tribal members is contesting the current tribal council. They say the leaders were illegally elected.

The tribe wants the case dismissed. But the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in May 2004 that the state courts have jurisdiction to hear tribal disputes because the tribe doesn't have its own court.

The tribe, though, can't create a court unless it adopts a new constitution -- one of the ongoing issues in the leadership dispute.

Get the Story:
Catawba suit to get another hearing (The Rock Hill Herald 7/20)

5th Circuit Decision:
Wade v. Blue (May 26, 2004)

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