Supreme Court won't hear tribal immunity case

Wednesday, January 17, 2007  

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a case that challenged tribal sovereign immunity.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico could not be sued by a non-Indian couple who leased tribal land. The court said the Burrells could only proceed with certain claims against individual tribal leaders.

The Burrells asked the Supreme Court to review the case to reinstate Santa Ana Pueblo as a defendant. The justices, without comment, declined the petition.

A lower court has been instructed to consider claims that individual tribal leaders discriminated against the Burrells based on their race.

Case Information:
Docket No. 06-721 | Briefs & Pleadings | 10th Circuit Decision

Relevant Links:
NARF-NCAI Tribal Supreme Court Project - http://doc.narf.org/sc/index.html U.S. Supreme Court - http://www.supremecourtus.gov
Supreme Court Blog - http://www.scotusblog.com/movabletype

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