United States v. Cooley

The Court decided that tribal police officers may temporarily detain and search non-Native people on reservation roads when they reasonably suspect violations of state or federal law. The authority applies while officers hold the person for transfer to outside authorities.

Justice Breyer wrote the 9–0 opinion, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Thomas, Sotomayor, Kagan, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett; Justice Alito concurred.

The decision lets tribal officers respond to suspected crimes on reservation roads, even when the suspect is not a tribe member. For example, an officer can briefly stop a driver showing signs of possible gun or drug crimes and contact outside authorities.

The Court finished this docket action. Tribal officers may use the authority recognized in the decision when responding to suspected state or federal offenses on reservation land.

The Court said tribal officers may temporarily detain and search non-Native suspects on reservation roads when they suspect state or federal crimes.

Tribal police and non-Native people traveling on reservation roads are directly affected. State and federal authorities may receive suspects transferred by tribal officers.

The Supreme Court has finished the case. Tribal officers may apply the decision when they encounter suspected state or federal offenses on reservation land.