The criminal case files consist of unbound case papers filed in criminal proceedings, held before the District Court brought on complaint by the Territory of Dakota or the United States. Individual case files vary but usually contain complaints or information filed with the court or U.S. commissioner indictments or true bills handed down by the grand jury, pleas of defendants, subpoenas for witnesses and jurors, affidavits and depositions, recognizances, U.S. Attorneys' nolle prosequis, and motion and orders of the court. The cases relate to timber trespass, incursion on government Indian land, sale of liquor to Indians, larceny on military or Indian reservations, violations of Internal Revenue laws, and assault.
