Cherokee Nation Files 1,000th Case Since Supreme Court Ruling On Tribal Jurisdiction

The Cherokee Nation has filed its 1,000th case in District Court since the Supreme Court ruling on tribal jurisdiction.

The Cherokee Nation said the milestone case was dismissed in April following the Supreme Court ruling. The case involves a Craig County defendant accused of abuse.

According to the Cherokee Nation, the victim filed for a protective order and supports the continued efforts to prosecute.

Before the McGirt decision, the Cherokee Nation said it would average six cases a month. Since the ruling, it has seen 1,000 cases filed over the past 5-months.

In a statement, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Junior said in part "we continue to work through all the challenges and meet our obligations under McGirt and are working daily to help protect citizens, support victims and families..."

The Cherokee Nation said it has also invested $10 million to expand its justice system.

The tribe has added 8 more marshals and has hired two more district court judges, six more prosecutors and several more victim advocates since the ruling.