Hearing set for arguments on Oklahoma appeal in McGirt case

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for April 27th in an appeal by the state of Oklahoma in what is known as the McGirt ruling.

The state argues in the case of Victor Castro-Huerta that it has concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute non-Native Americans for crimes committed against Natives on tribal reservations. The state says federal authorities are overwhelmed since the court’s ruling that the state has no jurisdiction over crimes committed by or against Native Americans on reservations.

Castro-Herta’s attorneys say only the U.S. Congress can draw jurisdictional lines.