Lomayestewa v. Hopi Tribe

OPINION AND ORDER

We conclude that the trial court committed legal error when it sentenced Appellant without stating findings of fact. We do not reach the other issues raised on appeal.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

[1] Appellant Stet Alan Lomayestewa, an 18-year-old senior at Hopi High School, was arrested by Hopi Tribal Police on April 30, 2005 at 11:00 pm, at or near Hopi High School on the Hopi Indian Reservation. He was charged with Possession of Alcohol (Hopi Tribal Ordinance 21 § 3.3.83) and Intoxication (Hopi Tribal Ordinance 21 § 3.3.48). At the time of the arrest, the Appellant had…