Boldt's most notable (as well as controversial) decision was his opinion in United States v. Washington (1974), which upheld tribal fishing rights under several treaties.[3][4]
Another notable case was the Seattle Conspiracy Trial (Seattle 7, November–December 1970). In this case, a major federal prosecution of anti-Vietnam War activists, the government's case collapsed when its star witness admitted under cross-examination that he "would lie to get" the defendants. Boldt declared a mistrial and sentenced the defendants to up to a year in prison for contempt of court.[5]
Boldt suffered from Alzheimer's disease during his final years, and died on March 18, 1984, at the Veteran's home in Lakewood, Washington, survived by his wife, three children, eight grandchildren and a great-grandchild.[7] A decade after his death, tribes excluded from his ruling unsuccessfully sought to access his medical records to determine whether he suffered from the disease while he oversaw the fishing rights case.[8] The tribes celebrated the 40th anniversary of his fishing rights ruling in February 2014.[9]