Reed
Reed v. Helena Abstract & Title Co.
Opinion
Lead Opinion
MEMORANDUM **
Michael Howard Reed appeals pro se from the district court’s order rescinding the registration of a purported judgment of the Pembina Nation Little Shell Band Federal Tribal Circuit Court (“Pembina court”). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We review for abuse of discretion the district court’s decision to recognize a foreign judgment, and we review de novo any underlying questions of law. Bird v. Glacier Elec. Coop., Inc., 255 F.3d 1136, 1140 (9th Cir.2001). We affirm.
A federal court’s recognition of tribal court judgments is a matter of comity; such judgments are not entitled to full faith and credit. See Wilson v. Marchington, 127 F.3d 805, 807-09 (9th Cir.1997). Even if the Pembina court had jurisdiction to issue a judgment in favor of Reed, the district court properly rescinded the registration of that judgment because it conflicted with the Montana state court judgment, which was entitled to full faith and credit. See 28 U.S.C. § 1738 ; Wilson, 127 F.3d at 810 (holding that a federal court may decline to recognize a tribal judgment if it “conflicts with another final judgment that is entitled to recognition”).