Which court will hear a major felony committed by a Native American on a reservation?

The correct answer is federal court. This is because major felonies committed by Native Americans on reservations fall under the jurisdiction determined by federal law, particularly due to the Major Crimes Act. Under this Act, certain serious crimes committed by Native Americans in Indian Country (areas recognized as tribal lands) are subject to federal prosecution.

This jurisdiction arises because reservations are considered semi-sovereign nations, and crimes that are addressed under federal law, such as murder, aggravated assault, and certain other serious offenses, are prosecuted in federal court regardless of the ethnicity of the perpetrator, provided it occurs on the reservation.

In contrast, state courts typically do not have jurisdiction over crimes committed by Native Americans on reservations. Tribal courts may have jurisdiction over lesser offenses or civil matters, but for major felonies outlined in federal law, federal court is the appropriate venue for prosecution. Additionally, while county courts serve local jurisdictions for state law matters, they do not have authority over federal offenses or crimes involving Native Americans on tribal land.