United States v. Zepeda (Ninth Circuit en banc)

The Indian Major Crimes Act establishes federal criminal jurisdiction over certain violent offenses committed by Indians within Indian Country. The Ninth Circuit took the matter en banc to consider the appropriate test to determine if an individual qualifies as an Indian for purposes of the statute. We presented briefing and argument on behalf of amici the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as the Ninth Circuit Federal Public and Community Defenders.