Definitions — Us Code Code § 1301
Us Code Code § 1301 — Definitions. Reproduced from the official United States Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.
§ 1301. Definitions
For purposes of this subchapter, the term—
(1) "Indian tribe" means any tribe, band, or other group of Indians subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and recognized as possessing powers of self-government;
(2) "powers of self-government" means and includes all governmental powers possessed by an Indian tribe, executive, legislative, and judicial, and all offices, bodies, and tribunals by and through which they are executed, including courts of Indian offenses; and means the inherent power of Indian tribes, hereby recognized and affirmed, to exercise criminal jurisdiction over all Indians;
(3) "Indian court" means any Indian tribal court or court of Indian offense; and
(4) "Indian" means any person who would be subject to the jurisdiction of the United States as an Indian under section 1153, title 18, if that person were to commit an offense listed in that section in Indian country to which that section applies.
(Pub. L. 90–284, title II, §201, Apr. 11, 1968, 82 Stat. 77; Pub. L. 101–511, title VIII, §8077(b), (c), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1892.)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1990—Par. (2). Pub. L. 101–511, §8077(b), inserted at end "means the inherent power of Indian tribes, hereby recognized and affirmed, to exercise criminal jurisdiction over all Indians;".
Par. (4). Pub. L. 101–511, §8077(c), added par. (4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title
Title II of Pub. L. 90–284, which is classified generally to this subchapter, is popularly known as the "Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968".
Time Limitation on Criminal Misdemeanor Jurisdiction of Tribal Courts Over Non-Member Indians
Pub. L. 101–511, title VIII, §8077(d), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1893, as amended by Pub. L. 102–124, §1, Oct. 9, 1991, 105 Stat. 616, which provided that the effects of subsecs. (b) and (c), which amended this section, as those subsections affect the criminal misdemeanor jurisdiction of tribal courts over non-member Indians have no effect after Oct. 18, 1991, was repealed by Pub. L. 102–137, Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 646. Subsequent to repeal, Pub. L. 102–172, title VIII, §8112A(b), Nov. 26, 1991, 105 Stat. 1202, purported to amend section 8077(d) of Pub. L. 101–511 by substituting "1993" for "1991".
About This Section
25 U.S.C. § 1301 is part of Title 25 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 25 U.S.C. § 1301. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.