State v. Zaman (Tahirkhaili)

OPINION

EHRLICH, Judge.

Akhtar Zaman challenges the subject-matter jurisdiction of the Apache County Superi- or Court over a paternity suit involving a non-Native-Ameriean father and a Native-American mother, both of whom resided within the Navajo Nation when all pertinent events occurred. He also argues that service of process, which was effected on him within the Nation by an Apache County deputy sheriff, acting without authority from the Nation, was invalid.

The superior court ruled that it had subject-matter jurisdiction and that the service was proper. We reverse and hold that the superior…