District Attorneys Seek To Help Oklahomans Navigate Changes After Tribal Sovereignty Ruling

Wagoner County District Attorney Jack Thorp said he firmly believes in the sovereignty of tribal nations, but he wants people to understand how overwhelming the adjustments have been for federal and tribal justice systems.

Wednesday, July 14th 2021, 9:43 pm

By: Grant Stephens

Several district attorneys in Green Country are speaking up after Tuesday night's forum on the impact of the Supreme Court's tribal sovereignty ruling turned chaotic when protesters interrupted.

A lot of the DAs at the event feel the protesters' anger was misdirected. They said they're there to work with laws under the Supreme Court ruling, not against them.

“Last night was very emotional, but that’s okay," Orvil Loge, the Muskogee County District Attorney said. "We need to know where they stand and how they feel about the issue of sovereignty, and we need to respect that.”

Loge and Jack Thorp, the Wagoner County DA, are still processing Tuesday night's explosive forum.

“I understood going in and I think a lot of other people understood late on the pent-up anger over the history of the State of Oklahoma," Thorp said.

They say that anger may have been misdirected.

“Being upset with your local state prosecutor, I don’t know if that’s the right place," Thorp said. “The only individuals that can actually do anything about that is Congress.”

Thorp and Loge are running into real problems after the Supreme Court ruling: things like overwhelmed federal courts, or a lack of substantial tribal sentencing. They said regardless of how you feel about the decision, it complicates the legal system.

The district attorneys said these forums bring attention to the issues law enforcement and victims are having – which brings the conversation back to Congress.

Loge said DAs aren't in charge of fixing tribal sentences or backlogged courts - that goes to the country's policymakers.

“Hopefully in a year or two we’re able to get past this and pass laws and come to an agreement or agreements or compacts that we can advise our public that you are, and you will be protected every day," Loge said.

Okmulgee County District Attorney Carol Iski is encouraging victims who didn't get their questions answered last night to call their DA and try to get the answers they need.