Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst reintroduced legislation to grant the Sac and Fox - Meskwaki Settlement power to enforce laws for certain crimes committed on its land, bringing its authority in line with that of the vast majority of Indian country. The announcement was made in a news release issued on Thursday, Feb. 16.
The Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa has supported the change. Sac and Fox Judge Jessica Bear and Meskwaki Nation Tribal Police Chief Jeff Schlock were on hand in Des Moines on April 8 of last year when Governor Terry Branstad signed a Senate file which requested the federal government to take over jurisdiction on the settlement.
This step cleared the way for the legislation now introduced.
The Justice Center on the Meskwaki Settlement west of Tama. -Chronicle file/John Speer
The creation of the Meskwaki Tribal Court system along with the police force is credited for making the switch in jurisdiction responsibility possible. Until the 2006 establishment of the Meskwaki Nation Tribal Police Department, the Tama County Sheriff's Office was in charge. THE FBI and U.S. Marshal's Office were also relied upon for certain cases during the period.
In statements accompanying the press reels the senators said:
"Our legislation kicks off the final step in a coordinated process to ensure the Meskwaki enjoy the same authority to enforce criminal law on their land as tribes have in nearly every other part of the country. It's important that we respect the autonomy of the Meskwaki to govern themselves and enforce violations of law on their own land involving members of their tribe. The Iowa state legislature overwhelmingly passed the necessary legislation to grant this authority, and Governor Branstad has signed it. It's time now for the U.S. Congress to act and ensure the Meskwaki people are treated the same as nearly every other tribe in the United States," Grassley said.
"I'm pleased to join Senator Grassley in reintroducing this important legislation that will directly impact the members of the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi/Meskwaki Nation in Iowa," said Senator Ernst. "This bill would repeal a 1948 law that restricted the tribe's criminal authority, and return jurisdiction over certain criminal offenses committed on the Meskwaki Tribal Settlement to the tribe. In line with guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, the State of Iowa first enacted a law to restore such jurisdiction to the tribe. I commend the work of all parties involved in laying the groundwork for this legislation, and I hope to see it passed and signed into law."
In most places across the country, state criminal jurisdiction over Indian land is limited to crimes by non-Indians against non-Indians and victimless crimes by non-Indians. However, because of a 1948 law, state authorities have jurisdiction over crimes committed on the Meskwaki settlement, just as it does elsewhere in Iowa. The law also grants the federal government exclusive jurisdiction over major crimes committed in Indian country, even though in most other places around the country, the federal government shares jurisdiction with the state.
The legislation would bring Iowa in line with other states by limiting its criminal jurisdiction on the Meskwaki settlement to crimes by non-Indians against non-Indians and victimless crimes by non-Indians. It also allows the state and federal governments to share jurisdiction for major crimes on the settlement involving tribal members.
To transfer authority, the Iowa legislature had to first enact legislation establishing the limits on the state's jurisdiction over tribal land. Now that the state has acted, the U.S. Congress must now pass this legislation and the President must sign it to repeal the 1948 law, completing the transfer of authority.
Read this article:
Bill in Congress to align Meskwaki law jurisdiction - Tama News-Herald - Toledo Chronicle
- What is a Victimless Crime? (with pictures) - wiseGEEK [Last Updated On: June 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2016]
- Types of Crimes - About Sociology - About.com Education [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Freedom in the 50 States 2013 | Wisconsin Overall Freedom ... [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- victimless crimes - Southeast Missouri State University [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Victimless Crimes: Definition, Types & Examples - Video ... [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Victimless crime are those that are of the nature of ... [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2016]
- Victimless Crime Constitutes 86% of The Federal Prison ... [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Immigration's Human Cost - human consequences of open ... [Last Updated On: July 23rd, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2016]
- Victimless Crimes (1990) - IMDb [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2016]
- Articles about Victimless Crime - philly-archives [Last Updated On: September 22nd, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2016]
- Victimless Crimes Liberal Democrats [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2016]
- Environmental Crimes - UNICRI [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- State crime - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Not Victimless: Understanding the harmful effects of ... [Last Updated On: December 10th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 10th, 2016]
- White-Collar Crime Punishment - Fraud Magazine [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2016]
- Arizona and California Auto Insurance Fraud Busts - Claims Journal - Claims Journal [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Campaigners say Rabobank should face trial for 'crimes against ... - DutchNews.nl [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Meth arrests, seizures surge in Bowling Green | News | bgdailynews ... - Bowling Green Daily News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Police aim to prevent prostitution, human trafficking - Woburn Daily Times [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- 7 arrested for auto insurance fraud scheme - KESQ - KESQ [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Bitcoin, Stop Apologizing for Victimless Crime - Nigeria Today [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Family of Collision Repair Shop Owners Allegedly Scammed Insurers Out of $560000 - BodyShop Business [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Hinds County and Morton police team up on 11 drug arrests - Jackson Clarion Ledger [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Teddy bears, food packaging and family photos: The huge illegal ... - shropshirestar.com [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Hefty sentence for rapist exposes threat of child porn - lobby group - Eyewitness News [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Libertarian commentator Julie Borowski offers an alternative viewpoint at UCR - Highlander Newspaper [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Hadi's Bill opens doors for disproportionate punishments, constitutional expert says - Malay Mail Online [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Open letter to MPs on Hadi's Bill - Malay Mail Online [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Law enforcement, advocacy groups work to stop sex trafficking in the Fox Valley - WGBA-TV [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Call to tackle rural crime as farmers 'soft targets' | UTV - ITV News - ITV News [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Malaysia: Hundreds of thousands expected to join mass rally calling for greater Syariah laws - Asian Correspondent [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Rural crime figures are a concern - Farming Life [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Dispelling the RUU355 strawmen, Part 1 - Malay Mail Online [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- 'Simply unacceptable': Northern Irish farmers remain soft targets for ... - FarmingUK [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- What People Are Saying About Homeland Security's Plan to Crack Down on Immigrants - Phoenix New Times [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Stubbing out illegal cigarettes will help plug SA's budget deficit - Business Day (registration) [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Your tip sheet: No sanctuary - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Inside The Quiet, Prophetic Politics Of CS Lewis - The Federalist [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- JAILED: Drug and gambling addict brought misery to train passengers - Eastwood Advertiser [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- Drug addict Lucas Niewiem had cannabis farm above child's bedroom AND stole railway cable - Derby Telegraph [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Jewish community rallies against anti- Semitic attacks - San Diego Jewish World [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Community coming together after cemetery vandalism, JCC threats - FOX 29 News Philadelphia [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Number of suspected child sex offenders in Bedfordshire almost doubles in two years - Bedfordshire News [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Philadelphia unions offer to repair vandalized Jewish cemetery - Arutz Sheva [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- John Klar: Scott plays both sides in marijuana debate - vtdigger.org [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Philadelphia labor unions offer to repair, secure vandalized Jewish cemetery - Jewish Telegraphic Agency [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Breastfeeding bills aim to help children of incarcerated mothers - NMPolitics.net [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Families of victims of Colombia's paramilitaries get their day in US court - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Preserving stories from Mt. Carmel - South Philly Review [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Legislature should ensure juries know their options - St. George Daily Spectrum [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Feelings of vulnerability fomenting among local Jewish community - fox2now.com [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- How to End the War on Cops and Restore our Liberties at the Same Time - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Museum collects stories to show vandalized gravestones are more than just toppled rock - Newsworks.org [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- For Democrats, How Many American Victims Are Enough? - Townhall [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2017]
- Welch State Police Detachment welcomes new commanders - Bluefield Daily Telegraph [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- How to Reverse Incarceration in Louisiana: Thirteen Steps to Stop Being First in Being Last - Common Dreams [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- Debate Forum: 3/7 - Dayton City Paper [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Legislature boosts penalties for prostitution-related crimes - Deseret News [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- Groton man who robbed Old Lyme bank on a bike sentenced to five years - theday.com [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- This VOICE tells racist lies - Socialist Worker Online [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- Wisconsin Veterinarian sentenced 4 years for labor, sex trafficking - Woodbury Bulletin [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2017]
- Stop looking at child abuse online - get help now - Falkirk Herald [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Convenience stores count the cost of retail crime - Talking Retail - Talking Retail [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- Restraining Federal Power Is Not Enough To Protect Individual Freedom - Being Libertarian [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- LETTERS: Another good investment; only time will tell | Colorado ... - Colorado Springs Gazette [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- West Virginia improving on legal penalties for trafficking - News ... - Shepherdstown Chronicle [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- Types of Crimes - Overview and Discussion [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]
- More than 2500 former soldiers jailed last year - The Guardian [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Letter: Vehement agreement - Gaston Gazette [Last Updated On: March 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 19th, 2017]
- Sunderland man kept "live video" of "grotesque and horrific" sex attacks on children as young as four - Sunderland Echo [Last Updated On: March 21st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 21st, 2017]
- California (and America)--Wake Up: No Sanctuary States! - Townhall [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2017]
- Humanitarian Blockchain and its Liberating Technologies for Refugees - CryptoCoinsNews [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- Crime And Development Dominate Rockford Mayor's Race | WNIJ ... - WNIJ and WNIU [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- UCFPD Responds to Accusations of Misused Resources by SGA Candidate: One thing has nothing to do with the other. - KnightNews.com [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2017]
- Letters to the editor for Tuesday, March 28, 2017 - Nevada Appeal [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- Six charged with shoplifting in Kincardine and Mearns - Mearns ... - Mearns Leader [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2017]
- Drugs, weapons and human trafficking: the real impact of money laundering - Telegraph.co.uk [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- Raising retail crime threshold lessens its gravity - Herald-Whig [Last Updated On: March 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 31st, 2017]
- Thirteen-year-old girl arrested in Mearns shoplifting clampdown - The Courier [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2017]
- Why The Liberal Left Is Partly Responsible For The Murder Of Atheist H Farook - Huffington Post India [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2017]