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Inyo County v. Paiute-Shoshone Indians March 31, 2003 (02-281) return to case listing Case Summary In 2000, Petitioner obtained a warrant to search records at Respondent's casino pursuant to an investigation of welfare fraud. The warrant was issued and Petitioner authorities searched Respondent's casino and seized confidential payroll records. No evidence of wrongdoing was found but Petitioner demanded more employee records. Respondent then filed suit in federal court, claiming that Petitioner had violated the tribe's sovereign immunity. Petitioner argued that federal law, P.L. 280 granted California criminal jurisdiction over offenses committed by or against Native Americans, and a federal district court agreed. On appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed and held that P.L. 280 did not justify Petitioner's actions and that Congress had not waived the sovereignty of the tribes. The opinion of the Ninth Circuit is found at 291 F.3d 549. To see the opinion of the lower court, click here. PREDICTED OUTCOME ACTUAL OUTCOME Forecasting Model Expert One Expert Two Expert Three 8-1 to Reverse 9-0 to Reverse 7-2 to Reverse 5-4 to Affirm 9-0 to Reverse VOTING TO REVERSE Rehnquist O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Souter Thomas Ginsburg Breyer Rehnquist Stevens O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Souter Thomas Ginsburg Breyer Rehnquist Stevens Scalia Kennedy Thomas Ginsburg Breyer Rehnquist Scalia Kennedy Thomas Rehnquist Stevens O'Connor Scalia Kennedy Souter Thomas Ginsburg Breyer VOTING TO AFFIRM Stevens O'Connor Souter Stevens O'Connor Souter Ginsburg Breyer   return to case listing