# 25 CFR § 11.118: What are the jurisdictional limitations of the Court of Indian Offenses?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.118

## Section

- **Citation:** 25 CFR § 11.118
- **Heading:** What are the jurisdictional limitations of the Court of Indian Offenses?
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 25—Indians > CHAPTER I—BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR > SUBCHAPTER B—LAW AND ORDER > PART 11—COURTS OF INDIAN OFFENSES AND LAW AND ORDER CODE > Subpart A—Application › Jurisdiction

## 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 CFR § 11.100 § 11.100 Where are Courts of Indian Offenses established?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.100.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.102 § 11.102 What is the purpose of this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.102.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.104 § 11.104 When does this part apply?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.104.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.106 § 11.106 Who is an Indian for purposes of this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.106.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.108 § 11.108 How are tribal ordinances affected by this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.108.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.110 § 11.110 How are tribal customs affected by this part?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.110.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.114 § 11.114 What is the criminal jurisdiction of the Court of Indian Offenses?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.114.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.116 § 11.116 What is the civil jurisdiction of a Court of Indian Offenses?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.116.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.118 § 11.118 What are the jurisdictional limitations of the Court of Indian Offenses?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.118.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.200 § 11.200 What is the composition of the Court of Indian Offenses?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.200.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.201 § 11.201 How are magistrates for the Court of Indian Offenses appointed?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.201.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.202 § 11.202 How is a magistrate of the Court of Indian Offenses removed?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.202.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.203 § 11.203 How are the clerks of the Court of Indian Offenses appointed and what are their duties?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.203.md)
- [25 CFR § 11.204 § 11.204 Prosecutors.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.204.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-25-11.118. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.