Judge restricts authority of St. Regis Mohawk Tribe's officers

Wednesday, October 30, 2013  

Police officers from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe do not have the authority to arrest people beyond reservation borders, a New York judge ruled.

In September 2012, tribal officers responded to a car crash in an area known as the Bombay Triangle. They arrested Amanda Herne, who was charged with drunken driving by the state based on information provided by tribal police.

Under state law, tribal officers are treated as New York police officers. But Franklin County Judge Robert Main Jr. said their powers are limited to the reservation -- the incident involving Herne occurred less than 100 years from the border.

"Given the boundaries of the St. Regis Reservation, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police response to the accident scene in question was likely more immediate than the possible response of any other agency," Main wrote in the October 15 ruling. "Nonetheless, whatever the response, it did not include the power to arrest."

As a result, Main dismissed all charges against Herne.

Get the Story:
Judge rules St. Regis Tribal Police have no jurisdiction in “Bombay Triangle” (The Watertown Daily Times 10/30)

New York Court Decision:
People v. Herne (October 15, 2013)