The Indian Country justice system in Oklahoma is undergoing some changes.

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma is creating a misdemeanor docket to handle Indian Country crimes. The goal is to patch up any gaps in the tribal, state and federal system.

"The issue is misdemeanor crimes. We don't have a venue for that," Sharon Wright, a Cherokee Nation marshal, told The Tulsa World. "I don't know that it will stop it, but if you can deal with it on a misdemeanor level, you can stop that individual before they escalate to felony-type crimes."

In a separate move, Sheldon Sperling, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, has ordered a review of all Indian Country prosecutions. The results will help determine what changes might need to be made in the system.

Get the Story:
'Indian Country' docket due (The Tulsa World 1/22)

Relevant Documents:
DOJ Indian Country Memorandum | Press Release

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