About William Davis
William Davis is a tribal law attorney at Mohave County Attorney's Office serving Native communities and clients in Kingman, 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.
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Education
- Law School: Stetson
Common questions about Tribal Law in Arizona
Answered by Arizona Attorney Search Network
What is tribal sovereignty?
Tribal sovereignty is the inherent right of federally recognized Native American tribes to self-government, recognized by the U.S. Constitution, treaties, and federal law. Tribes exercise jurisdiction over their members and territory, subject to the plenary power of Congress and limitations in cases like Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe, 435 U.S. 191 (1978) (no tribal criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians) and Montana v. United States, 450 U.S. 544 (1981) (limits on civil jurisdiction).
Can a state court hear a case involving a tribal member?
Sometimes. State courts generally lack jurisdiction over civil claims arising on a reservation between tribal members or against tribal members, under cases like Williams v. Lee, 358 U.S. 217 (1959). State court jurisdiction is broader off-reservation and for cases involving non-Indian parties. Public Law 280 confers state criminal jurisdiction in some states, but Arizona is a non-PL 280 state, retaining federal-tribal-state distinctions.
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.
Q&As answered by William Davis
Practice Areas
Notable Case Results
Office Location
Mohave County Attorney's Office
PO BOX 7000
Kingman, AZ 86402
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