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Oklahoman U.S. Rep. Tom Cole introduced a bill on Tuesday to allow the Cherokee and Chickasaw nations to make agreements with the state of Oklahoma on prosecuting some crimes involving Native Americans within the tribes’ reservations. Cole, R-Moore, said the legislation would provide “an immediate solution to the urgent issues facing law enforcement, giving them clarity to enforce the law, keep dangerous criminals behind bars and ensure justice is served.” McGirt decision prompts changes Under federal law, crimes involving Native Americans in Indian Country must be prosecuted by the fe...

When that happens, federal prosecutors will become responsible for retrying old state cases involving American Indians in all five reservations and trying new cases involving American Indians — a huge increase in caseload for U.S. attorney offices. Brian J. Kuester, who was the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma until March, said the re-recognition of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation alone led to more than  a 1,500% increase in Violent Crime in Indian Country matters referred to the U.S. attorney’s office in just seven months. “We have worked closely with federal, state and ...

Congress and the Biden administration could be key players as Native American tribes and Oklahoma leaders sort out the McGirt ruling implications.

Federal government now has criminal jurisdiction in much of eastern Oklahoma, with more to come.