Chief Allan, chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, told the House Judiciary Committee that respect for the law is what the tribe wants to promote. In reference to earlier comments from Benewah County Prosecutor Doug Payne that crimes like arson and burglary are just civil offenses under tribal code, Allan said on the reservation, "Once you commit a crime, it's a federal offense - arson, burglary." He said, "I'll give you an example." His brother, he said, "just out of high school, did something stupid - broke into the tribal store and stole a case of beer. He was prosecuted under federal law," under which he'd committed a felony. "He went to prison for stealing a case of beer, because it happened on the reservation."