October Term 2000 · Docket 99-1994
Can tribal courts hear civil suits against state officials?
Nevada officials and tribal members dispute whether tribal courts hold jurisdiction over state game wardens.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Nevada officials state tribal jurisdiction over state agents creates inconsistency.
Tribal members state the court holds power over personal-capacity damages.
Nevada officials note non-federal claims lose standing without federal claims.
Tribal members note the wardens sought tribal court approval twice.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 1, lines 1-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 39-39
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
Nevada officials argue tribal courts lack power over state agents. Tribal members claim the courts hold such power.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-35
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 21, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 1, lines 1-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 39-39
What each side wants
Nevada officials want dismissal of the civil suit.
Tribal members want the tribal court to keep the case.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-35
What each side says
Nevada officials argue tribal jurisdiction conflicts with state status.
Tribal members argue the court holds jurisdiction over personal-capacity suits.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-35
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the ban applies to all state officials.
A justice asked if the court holds jurisdiction over federal claims.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 39-39
Why it matters
This dispute defines the boundary between state and tribal judicial power. It determines where state officials face civil liability. It shapes the autonomy of tribal legal systems.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-35
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 1, lines 1-3 — Transcript, file page 1, lines 1-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 39-39
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 25, lines 47-13 — Transcript, file page 25, lines 47-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 15-29 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 15-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 45, lines 27-37 — Transcript, file page 45, lines 27-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 53, lines 17-33 — Transcript, file page 53, lines 17-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 54, lines 19-35 — Transcript, file page 54, lines 19-35
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.