 United States v. Yellow Sun (1870) |
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In this case, a federal court in Nebraska debated the question of federal or state jurisdiction over Native Americans suspected of a crime committed outside a reservation. The court held that there were no treaty rights or congressional provisions that required federal jurisdiction, therefore states had jurisdiction over crimes committed within its boundaries unless on tribal land. They also held that because crimes committed on tribal lands were not in violation of any federal laws, the state had civil and criminal jurisdiction over tribal lands.
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| United States, ex rel. Standing Bear, v. George Crook (1879) |
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In this case, Judge Elmer S. Dundy ruled that "an Indian is a person within the meaning of the laws of the United States," and that they were entitled to the right of expatriation. Standing Bear and 29 other Ponca had left their reservation in Indian Territory without the permission of the federal government and returned to Nebraska. They were later arrested and petitioned for a writ of habeas corpus, which was granted. Judge Dundy's opinion led to the release of the Ponca petitioners.
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| Vietnamese Fishermen's Association v. The Knights of the Klu Klux Klan (1982) |
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A sign of progress in the fight for civil rights for Asian immigrants, the Vietnamese Fishermen's Association filed a class action lawsuit against the KKK and won. The KKK was burning the fishermen's boats and were found guilty of violating the Vietnamese fishermen's civil rights.
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| Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co. (1965) |
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In this case, a U.S. Court of Appeals decided that a lower court could rule a contract unconscionable and therefore not enforceable. Ora Lee Williams, a resident of an underprivileged Black neighborhood in Washington, D.C., had signed an installment sales contract containing a clause that gave the seller the right to repossess all prior goods purchased under the contract upon missing a payment on the most recent purchase, even if she had already paid enough to cover what was owed. Justice Wright remanded the case back to the lower court with a new definition of unconscionability. This case is an example of abusive credit practices targeting those in poverty in the U.S.
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| Winny v. Phebe Whitesides alias Prewitt (1824) |
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This case was the first freedom suit heard by the Missouri Supreme Court. Winny claimed her freedom on account of being brought into the free territory of what would become Illinois before being removed to Missouri. The court found in favor of her freedom, establishing a "once free, always free" precedent that was eventually overturned by the decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford.
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