A bill making its way through Congress seeks to clarify criminal jurisdiction on Pueblo lands in New Mexico.

The bill states that Pueblo tribes will have jurisdiction over "any offense" committed by a tribal member, a member of another federally recognized tribe or by "any other Indian-owned entity."

The federal government will have jurisdiction over crimes listed in chapter 53 of title 18, United States Code committed by or against any Indian or involving "any Indian property or interest." This chapter includes major crimes such as murder, manslaughter and assault and other crimes such as theft from a tribe and child abuse.

Finally, the state will have jurisdiction over non-Indians and over those crimes not covered by federal law.

The measure was approved last week by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee as part of a larger technical corrections bill. A standalone bill is pending in the House.

Get the Story:
Bills Aim to Clarify Criminal Cases on Tribal Land (AP 10/3)

Get the Bill:
S.2843 (Native American Technical Corrections Act of 2004)