Court sides with Ute tribe in scathing opinion

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – A federal appeals court has issued a scathing opinion warning Utah authorities against patrolling tribal land where they don’t have authority.

The Deseret News reports that the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a strongly worded ruling in the case Tuesday, saying the actions of Utah police and prosecutors are a serious threat to the sovereignty of the Ute Indian Tribe.

Though control of the eastern Utah land has been disputed, Judge Neil Gorsuch wrote that the appeals court decided the issue years ago and Utah authorities are pushing the boundaries of their ruling.

Attorney Jesse Trentadue says it’s not clear whether Utah authorities will ask the court to reconsider, but police need to keep state highways safe.

Tribal leaders say they’re willing to work with the state if Utah authorities respect tribal boundaries.