Ute Tribe accuses county of overstepping criminal jurisdiction

Thursday, May 2, 2013  

The Ute Tribe is accusing authorities in two Utah counties of overstepping their jurisdiction.

In a lawsuit that was filed in federal court last month, the tribe accused Uintah and Duchesne counties of racial profiling, police harassment and illegal prosecution of its members. In response, the Uintah County Attorney G. Mark Thomas has offered to put four criminal cases on hold, The Deseret News reported.

One case was already successfully prosecuted by the federal government. Thomas, however, brought charges against a tribal member because he believes the incident did not occur in Indian Country.

The main issue appears to be whether the Uncompahgre Reservation has been diminished. The tribe contends it remains a part of the larger Uintah and Ouray Reservation.

Get the Story:
Prosecutor to seek stays in 4 cases involving Ute tribal members (The Deseret News 5/2)
Ute Tribe accuses agencies of racial profiling (The Deseret News 4/20)