Court: State Cannot Prosecute Tribal Members For Failure to Register As Sex Offenders

September 24, 2013

The Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Monday that tribal members living on tribal land cannot be prosecuted by the state for failing to register as sex offenders.

The judges said state law registration requirements cannot supersede what is required by federal law.  Judge Philip Espinosa, writing for the court, also said it is irrelevant whether the person was found off the reservation.