Supreme Court Takes Indian Land Case
Lawyer Blogs
[##_1L|1232233377.jpg|width="180" height="122" alt=""|_##]The Supreme Court agreed Monday to resolve a dispute over the federal government's ability to take land into trust for American Indian tribes. Indian rights groups fear that the case involving the Narragansett Tribe in Rhode Island could undermine tribal land across the country. The justices will hear the case in the fall.
The state argued that a 1934 federal law prevents the government from taking land into trust for tribes recognized after the law took effect, unless Congress specifically authorized it. The Narragansetts became a federally recognized tribe in 1983.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston rejected the state's claim.
At issue is whether a 31-acre lot in Charlestown purchased by the Narragansetts should be subject to Rhode Island law, including a prohibition on casino gambling, or whether the parcel should be governed by tribal and federal law.
The dispute dates to 1991, when the Narragansetts purchased the land to build an elderly housing complex, which remains incomplete.
The state objected when the tribe asked the U.S. Department of the Interior to take the land into federal trust, which would place it largely under tribal and federal control.
Related listings
-
NYPD Trio Set for Trial in Groom's Death
Lawyer Blogs 02/25/2008On the morning of her wedding day, Nicole Paultre Bell learned her groom-to-be was dead.Sean Bell, who had been spending his last night as a single man partying, was killed in a barrage of 50 police bullets outside a strip club.The three police offic...
-
NYC Court Rejects Agent Orange Claims
Lawyer Blogs 02/24/2008[##_1L|1078779507.jpg|width="127" height="85" alt=""|_##]A federal appeals court on Friday rejected an effort by Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange to reinstate claims that U.S. companies committed war crimes by making the toxic chemical defoliant us...
-
Rezko lawyer says jail 'degrading,' pleads for release
Lawyer Blogs 02/22/2008Jailed political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko's lawyer made an emotional plea for his release from a federal lockup Wednesday, saying he is being held in "degrading" conditions where inmates must share underwear."It's disgusting, judge," chief defe...
New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC
Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.