In recent decades, the Indian tribes have regained the jurisdiction over these lands and have re-established tribal court systems. With the void in the enforcement of tribal law, the state began to assert its authority over the remaining tribal and allotted Indian lands even though no jurisdiction properly existed. Thus, the Court of Indian Offenses pre-dates Oklahoma state courts by several decades.Īfter the reservations in Oklahoma were opened by land runs to non-Indian homesteading, and federal Indian policy sought to weaken tribal governments and break up tribal land holdings, the courts over time lost their funding and consequently ceased to function. An Indian police force provided the law enforcement for the KCA, Cheyenne-Arapaho, and other reservations. Several prominent tribal leaders served as judges of the court including Quanah Parker (Comanche), Lone Wolf (Kiowa) and several others. The original Court of Indian Offenses was created to provide law enforcement for the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache (KCA) reservation. The first Court of Indian Offenses in the area that was to become the State of Oklahoma was originally established prior to statehood in the Indian Territory in 1886. "COMMITTED TO PROVIDING QUALITY JUDICIAL SERVICES TO OUR TRIBAL NATIONS" HISTORY