Town stops prosecuting non-Indians at Yavapai-Apache casino

Monday, December 5, 2011  

The town of Camp Verde, Arizona, has stopped prosecuting non-Indians who commit crimes at the casino owned by the Yavapai-Apache Nation.

The town's municipal court disclaims jurisdiction over cases arising in Indian Country. As a result, Yavapai County has taken over all cases at the Cliff Castle Casino.

The issue arose during the prosecution of two non-Indians who were convicted for a fight at the casino in July 2009. Brothers Jared and Joseph Wolfe successfully challenged the town court's jurisdiction.

The county could have taken up the case but another judge ruled that the statute of limitations expired. The brothers are now suing the town and they are threatening to bring a class action on behalf of all other non-Indians who were prosecuted in town court.

Get the Story:
Camp Verde jurisdiction issue has costly potential (The Prescott Daily Courier 12/4)