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SEPTEMBER 21, 2000

The authority of Nez Perce Tribal Police over non-Indians turned out not to be an issue in a recent traffic dispute decided in a local court.

On July 2, Lewis County Prosecutor Kimron Torgerson was stopped by a Nez Perce tribal police officer for speeding. Torgerson challenged the officer's authority to stop or detain him and instead was issued a ticket by State Police.

But a Nez Perce County magistrate didn't consider whether or not the tribe has the authority to police non-Indians. He dismissed the ticket solely because he ruled that the officer who stopped Torgerson did not have probable cause.

Lewis County is one of 23 jurisdictions who oppose the Nez Perce tribe on many isssues, including water rights and criminal and civil jurisdiction. The North Central Jurisdictional Alliance recently supported the case of a Nez Perce tribal member who claimed the reservation no longer existed, but the Ninth Circuit ruled against him.

Get the Decision:
USA v. Webb (9th Circuit. No. 9930155. 7/00)

Get the Story:
Tribal issue sidestepped (AP 9/21)

Related Stories:
County won't join anti-Indian alliance (Tribal Law 9/20)
Tribal leaders to gather (Tribal Law 9/18)
Court upholds Nez Perce treaty (Tribal Law 07/31)
Group counters charges of racism (The Talking Circle 7/31)
Bigotry discussed (The Talking Circle 06/21)
Nez Perce dispute heats up (Tribal Law 7/19)
Couple may sue city over essay (Tribal Law 6/15)

Relevant Links:
The Nez Perce Tribe - www.nezperce.org
Nez Perce Treaties Site - members.stratos.net/cpetras/index.htm
North Central Idaho Jurisdictional Alliance www.camasnet.com/~stingray/ncija