Tribal government: Decision preserves tribes’ rights to ask for court transfers in adoption cases
By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
The ability of tribes to intercede in the adoption of Native American children not living on the reservation is limited and not absolute, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled today.
In a unanimous decision, the justices rejected arguments by the Gila River Indian Community that Arizona courts must transfer such cases to tribal courts. Writing for the court , Chief Justice Scott Bales said while such transfer is permissive, it is not a right.
And in this case, the high court said a juvenile court judge was correct in deciding to rebuff the tribe’s request.
“At its core, this decision merely reaffirms a commonly accepted legal principle that you cannot sit on your rights. If you fail to timely exercise your rights, you risk losing them.”
