Scott Crowell
Crowell Law Office Tribal Advocacy Group LLP
Sedona, Arizona • Serving Yavapai County
About Scott Crowell
Scott Crowell is a tribal law attorney at Crowell Law Office Tribal Advocacy Group LLP serving Native communities and clients in Sedona, Arizona. Tribal law practice in Arizona involves federal Indian law (the Indian Reorganization Act, the Indian Civil Rights Act, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act), tribal codes of the 22 federally-recognized tribes within or adjacent to Arizona, and state-tribal compacts, addressing jurisdiction, gaming, water rights, and economic development. Contact details appear below.
This profile was compiled from publicly available information. Is this your profile? Claim it to add your bio, photo, and more.
Education
- Law School: Arizona State
Common questions about Tribal Law in Arizona
Answered by Arizona Attorney Search Network
How does the Indian Child Welfare Act apply in Arizona?
ICWA, 25 USC § 1901 et seq., applies to state-court custody proceedings involving Indian children. It requires notice to the child's tribe, gives tribes the right to intervene or transfer the case to tribal court, and establishes preferences for placement with extended family or tribal members. Arizona courts apply ICWA in adoption, foster care, and termination proceedings.
Can I sue a tribe in court?
Generally no, due to tribal sovereign immunity. Tribes are immune from suit unless Congress authorizes the suit or the tribe waives immunity. Suits against tribal officers in their official capacity are also generally barred under sovereign immunity. Some commercial activities may involve narrow waivers in contracts. The Indian Civil Rights Act provides limited federal court relief through habeas corpus.
Are tribal courts the same as state courts?
No. Tribal courts are courts of the tribal nation, applying tribal law and (where adopted) tribal codes. They are constitutionally separate from federal and state courts. Tribal courts handle most civil matters arising on the reservation, including tribal member family law, contracts, and torts. Tribal court judgments are entitled to full faith and credit by federal courts under 25 USC § 1911 in some contexts; recognition by other states varies.
Q&As answered by Scott Crowell
Practice Areas
Notable Case Results
Office Location
Crowell Law Office Tribal Advocacy Group LLP
1487 W STATE ROUTE 89A STE 8
Sedona, AZ 86336
Looking for a Tribal Law Attorney?
Browse more Tribal Law attorneys in Sedona and Yavapai County.