The Supreme Court ruled that Oklahoma can prosecute non-Native Americans who commit crimes against Native Americans on tribal lands.

The case reversed a prior ruling that will expand the state’s authority in such cases, according to the ruling on Wednesday.

Supreme Court rules states can prosecute non-Native Americans on tribal lands https://t.co/4gJDOSM3Ho

— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 29, 2022

“The case stemmed from a state court decision to throw out the conviction against Victor Castro-Huerta, who is not Native American. Oklahoma prosecutors charged Castro-Huerta with malnourishment of his disabled 5-year-old stepdaughter, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians,” Fox News reported.

“Castro-Huerta has since pleaded guilty to a federal child neglect charge in exchange for a seven-year prison term, though he has not been formally sentenced,” it added.

The verdict will be widely viewed as an attack on the sovereignty of tribal lands and a breach of agreements between the government and Native American tribes, as the McGirt ruling previously solidified several treaties between the two sides.
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— Punk31 (@Punk319) June 29, 2022

The close 5-4 ruling will not be taken well by some tribal leaders but was deemed necessary for limited cases.

The left may seek to make the case about race, but it instead focuses on laws on tribal lands regarding non-tribal individuals who commit crimes in a way that should be more helpful to the state of Oklahoma.