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September 17, 2009 in City, Region
Court: Tribal police can pursue beyond reservation
OLYMPIA — The Washington state Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that tribal police can pursue non-Indian motorists outside a reservation if they see a traffic infraction on tribal lands.
Thursday’s ruling says that under state law, tribal police can go beyond their jurisdiction if they’re in a “fresh pursuit,” or if there’s an immediate threat to life or property.
The case stems from an August 2005 incident, when a Lummi Nation officer pursued a suspected drunken driver but didn’t stop her until they were outside reservation boundaries.
The tribal officer held Loretta Eriksen until a Whatcom County sheriff’s deputy arrived to arrest her. Eriksen was later convicted of drunken driving, but challenged whether the tribal officer made a legal stop.
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Couple acquitted of caging 2 boys 
ericdx on September 17 at 1:07 p.m.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! I love it. THe defense “I was bombed and could have killed one of your people, but I got out of your jurisdiction, so i am not guilty. I cant believe a lawyer even took this case, because the idea of crossing jurisdictional boundaries was decided years ago. Sounds like some lawyer was trying to make a buck, or has an opinion that tribal police are just rent a cops or something. An officer does have the right to conduct a detainement if they witness a violation of the law. I hope she enjoys her conviction. They should up her sentence for being stupid.
garfnagn on September 17 at 6:20 p.m.
Jack Buell better stay outta Washington state.