# RCW 37.12.010: RCW 37.12.010: Assumption of criminal and civil jurisdiction by state

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S010

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 37.12.010
- **Heading:** RCW 37.12.010: Assumption of criminal and civil jurisdiction by state
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 37 / Chapter 12 / Section 010

## Text

The state of Washington hereby obligates and binds itself to assume criminal and civil jurisdiction over Indians and Indian territory, reservations, country, and lands within this state in accordance with the consent of the United States given by the act of August 15, 1953 (Public Law 280, 83rd Congress, 1st Session), but such assumption of jurisdiction shall not apply to Indians when on their tribal lands or allotted lands within an established Indian reservation and held in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, unless the provisions of RCW 37.12.021 have been invoked, except for the following: (1) Compulsory school attendance; (2) Public assistance; (3) Domestic relations; (4) Mental illness; (5) Juvenile delinquency; (6) Adoption proceedings; (7) Dependent children; and (8) Operation of motor vehicles upon the public streets, alleys, roads and highways: PROVIDED FURTHER, That Indian tribes that petitioned for, were granted and became subject to state jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter on or before March 13, 1963 shall remain subject to state civil and criminal jurisdiction as if *chapter 36, Laws of 1963 had not been enacted.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 37.12.010 RCW 37.12.010: Assumption of criminal and civil jurisdiction by state.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S010.md)
- [RCW 37.12.021 RCW 37.12.021: Assumption of criminal and civil jurisdiction by state—Resolution of request—Proclamation by governor, 1963 act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S021.md)
- [RCW 37.12.030 RCW 37.12.030: Effective date for assumption of jurisdiction—Criminal causes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S030.md)
- [RCW 37.12.040 RCW 37.12.040: Effective date for assumption of jurisdiction—Civil causes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S040.md)
- [RCW 37.12.050 RCW 37.12.050: State's jurisdiction limited by federal law.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S050.md)
- [RCW 37.12.060 RCW 37.12.060: Chapter limited in application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S060.md)
- [RCW 37.12.070 RCW 37.12.070: Tribal ordinances, customs, not inconsistent with law applicable in civil causes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S070.md)
- [RCW 37.12.100 RCW 37.12.100: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S100.md)
- [RCW 37.12.110 RCW 37.12.110: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S110.md)
- [RCW 37.12.120 RCW 37.12.120: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, Skokomish, Muckleshoot, Tulalip, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Proclamation by governor.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S120.md)
- [RCW 37.12.130 RCW 37.12.130: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Savings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S130.md)
- [RCW 37.12.140 RCW 37.12.140: Quileute, Chehalis, Swinomish, and Colville Indian reservations—Retrocession of criminal jurisdiction—Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S140.md)
- [RCW 37.12.150 RCW 37.12.150: Retrocession of federal jurisdiction over lands excluded from Olympic National Park.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S150.md)
- [RCW 37.12.160 RCW 37.12.160: Retrocession of civil and/or criminal jurisdiction—Process.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S160.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T37_C12_S010. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.