# 25 C.F.R. § 11.118 (2025): What are the jurisdictional limitations of the Court of Indian Offenses?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_118

## Section

- **Citation:** 25 C.F.R. § 11.118 (2025)
- **Heading:** What are the jurisdictional limitations of the Court of Indian Offenses?
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 25 CFR: Indians / Chapter I: BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR / Part 11: COURTS OF INDIAN OFFENSES AND LAW AND ORDER CODE / Subpart A: Application › Jurisdiction / § 11.118: § 11.118   What are the jurisdictional limitations of the Court of Indian Offenses?

## Text

(a) A Court of Indian Offenses may exercise over a Federal or State official only the same jurisdiction that it could exercise if it were a tribal court. The jurisdiction of Courts of Indian Offenses does not extend to Federal or State employees acting within the scope of their employment.
(b) A Court of Indian Offenses may not adjudicate an election dispute, take jurisdiction over a suit against a tribe, or adjudicate any internal tribal government dispute, unless the relevant tribal governing body passes a resolution, ordinance, or referendum granting the court jurisdiction.
(c) In deciding who is a tribal official, BIA will give deference to a decision of the Court of Indian Offenses, acting as a tribal forum by resolution or ordinance of a tribal governing body under paragraph (b) of this section.
(d) A tribe may not be sued in a Court of Indian Offenses unless its tribal governing body explicitly waives its tribal immunity by tribal resolution or ordinance.

## Nearby sections

- [25 C.F.R. § 11.100 (2025) § 11.100   Where are Courts of Indian Offenses established?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_100.md)
- [25 C.F.R. § 11.102 (2025) § 11.102   What is the purpose of this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_102.md)
- [25 C.F.R. § 11.104 (2025) § 11.104   When does this part apply?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_104.md)
- [25 C.F.R. § 11.106 (2025) § 11.106   Who is an Indian for purposes of this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_106.md)
- [25 C.F.R. § 11.108 (2025) § 11.108   How are tribal ordinances affected by this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_108.md)
- [25 C.F.R. § 11.110 (2025) § 11.110   How are tribal customs affected by this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_110.md)
- [25 C.F.R. § 11.114 (2025) § 11.114   What is the criminal jurisdiction of the Court of Indian Offenses?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_114.md)
- [25 C.F.R. § 11.116 (2025) § 11.116   What is the civil jurisdiction of a Court of Indian Offenses?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_116.md)
- [25 C.F.R. § 11.118 (2025) § 11.118   What are the jurisdictional limitations of the Court of Indian Offenses?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_118.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T25_P11_S11_118. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.