October Term 2021 · Docket 21-429
Can Oklahoma prosecute non-Indians who harm Indians on tribal land?
Oklahoma seeks state power to try non-Indians for crimes against Indians. The defendant argues federal law blocks this.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion 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
Oklahoma's counsel argued the state has inherent authority over tribal lands.
The defendant's counsel cited statutory text to claim exclusive federal jurisdiction.
The federal government's counsel supported the exclusive federal jurisdiction view.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 108, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 108, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-19 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 55-45 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 55-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-17
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests state criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians in Indian country. The dispute follows the McGirt decision. It concerns who holds prosecutorial authority.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 108, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 108, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-21
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on April 27, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-45
What each side wants
Oklahoma wants authority to prosecute non-Indians for crimes against Indians.
Castro-Huerta wants the state barred from prosecuting him.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 108, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 108, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-21
What each side says
Oklahoma argues state sovereignty extends to tribal lands in Oklahoma.
Castro-Huerta argues federal law grants exclusive jurisdiction to the federal government.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 108, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 108, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-21
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked why this is the first such case.
Justice Gorsuch asked if the state claims inherent sovereignty over tribal lands.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-19 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 55-45 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 55-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-17
Why it matters
This dispute determines who protects tribal members from non-Indian violence. It defines the boundary between state and federal power. It impacts public safety in Indian country.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 108, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 108, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-21
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 10, lines 13-11 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-43 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 129, lines 51-11 — Transcript, file page 129, lines 51-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 13-21 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 13-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 25-31 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 25-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 19-31 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 19-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 21-21 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 21-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 27-27 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 27-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 31-43 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 31-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-41 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 31-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 9-21 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 9-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-7 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 49-15 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 49-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 45-19 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 45-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-25 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 27-45 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 27-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 31-35 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 31-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 79, lines 55-45 — Transcript, file page 79, lines 55-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 82, lines 55-17 — Transcript, file page 82, lines 55-17
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 108, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 108, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 108, lines 35-43 — Transcript, file page 108, lines 35-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 127, lines 35-41 — Transcript, file page 127, lines 35-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-29 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 39-7 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 39-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 53-21 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 53-21
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.