The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation is pleased with the Supreme Court of the United States decision in State of Oklahoma v. Victor Manuel Castro-Huerta, announced Wednesday, June 29, nearly two years after the 2020 ruling in Jimcy McGirt v. State of Oklahoma.
The 5-to-4 decision affirmed the state of Oklahoma has concurrent jurisdiction with the federal government to prosecute crimes committed by non-Indians against Indians on Muscogee (Creek), Choctaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Seminole or Quapaw reservations in Oklahoma.
“This ruling is a significant legal victory for all Oklahomans and will set the stage for other legal matters stemming from the original McGirt decision,” said Rodd Moesel, OKFB president. “Today’s decision to affirm Oklahoma’s concurrent jurisdiction brings some much-needed clarity to citizens, including farmers and ranchers, in the eastern part of our state. Oklahoma Farm Bureau is committed to continue working alongside state and tribal leaders to forge the best path forward for the future of our state.”
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Legal Foundation submitted an amicus curiae – or “friend of the court” – brief alongside the Environmental Federation of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma in support of the state of Oklahoma’s position earlier this year.
The Castro-Huerta decision puts to rest many jurisdictional concerns, but the OKFB Legal Foundation continues to have questions about possible tribal assertions over taxes, and regulatory and civil matters on non-Indians in Indian country.
