Modern Realities of the 'Jurisdictional Maze' in Indian Country: Case Studies on Methamphetamines Use and the Pressures to Ensure Homeland Security

Abstract

Because legal jurisdction in Indian country can involve three separate actors -- the tribe, the federal government, and potentially the state government -- the laws governing which entity has authority in various situations can become confusing, amounting to a "jurisdictional maze." Problems that arise from modern developments, such as increased use of methamphetamine (meth) and the pressures of ensuring homeland security, become exacerbated when combined with the often perplexing realities of jurisdiction in Indian country. This article examines those realities in the context of both meth use and homeland security within Indian country.

Keywords: Indian, tribe, Native American, American Indian, methamphetamine, meth, homeland security, national security, jurisdiction, Indian country