Law
Minnesota tribes implement sex offender laws


Five Minnesota tribes have implemented new laws that require sex offenders who live on the reservation to register with tribal police.

The Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Prairie Island Indian Community, the Upper Sioux Community and the White Earth Band of Ojibwe passed the laws in response to a recent court case. The courts found that tribal members who live on reservations don't have to register with the state's sex offender registry.

Now, sex offenders on the five reservations in question will have to register or face jail time.

Five more tribes are working on implementing similar laws. The Red Lake Band of Ojibwe already cooperates with the state, said attorney general Mike Hatch.

Get the Story:
Tribes, state officials come to agreement regarding sex offender policy (The West Central Tribune 2/8)
Tribes to adopt offender law (The St. Paul Pioneer Press 2/8)
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Tribes, state to cooperate on predatory offender registration (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 2/8)
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Tribes tighten oversight of sex offenders (AP 2/7)
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Court Decision:
Minnesota v. Jones (July 26, 2005)

Related Stories:
Minnesota tribes work with state to track offenders (08/02)
Editorial: State shouldn't fight tribal sovereignty (8/1)
Pawlenty wants jurisdiction ruling overturned (7/29)
State may seek agreements with tribes on registry (7/28)
Minnesota appeals court limits state jurisdiction (7/27)