Williams v. Lee (1958)
- Docket
- 39
- Decided
- 1958-01-01
- Category
- General
Summary
Question: Did the state court have jurisdiction? Conclusion: In a unanimous decision by Justice Hugo Black, the Court held that the Arizona state court improperly exercised jurisdiction, because states lack power to regulate Native American affairs on a reservation. The Court reasoned that the Navajo Courts of Indian Offenses exercised broad criminal and civil jurisdiction that covered suits by outsiders against Native American defendants. Federal law granted states the power to assume jurisdiction over reservation matters if the state legislature or the people affirmatively accepted the responsibility, and Arizona expressly disclaimed such jurisdiction. The Court concluded that the Navajo Treaty of 1868 controlled, and civil jurisdiction resided with the reservation's courts.