The U.S. Supreme Court today denied a petition in Shavanaux v. US, an Indian Country domestic violence case

Adam Ray Shavanaux, a member of the Ute Tribe of Utah, was charged as a "habitual" domestic offender 18 U.S.C. § 117. The law recognizes prior tribal court convictions.

Shavanaux challenged his indictment, saying his constitutional rights were violated because he wasn't provided with an attorney in tribal court. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals disagreed and said the case could proceed.

Shavanaux asked the Supreme Court to overturn the decision but the justices declined, without comment, in an order today. The justices declined Cavanaugh v. US, a similar case, last month.

8th Circuit Decision:
US v. Cavanaugh (July 6, 2011)

10th Circuit Decision:
US v. Shavanaux (July 26, 2011)

Related Stories:
Supreme Court won't hear Indian domestic violence case (02/21)
Two Indian domestic violence cases before Supreme Court (12/12)