Question

Which of the following acts would probably constitute minimum contacts that would allow an Ohio court to serve a Michigan defendant to obtain in personam jurisdiction over him?a. All of the contacts described provide sufficient contacts for in personam jurisdiction.b. None of the contacts described provides sufficient contacts for in personam jurisdiction.c. The Michigan defendant got into an automobile accident in Ohio.d. The Michigan defendant signed a contract in Ohio with an Ohio business.e. The Michigan defendant sold products in the state of Ohio that injured the purchasers.

Answer 1

Answer:

A) All of the contacts described provide sufficient contacts for in personam jurisdiction.

• c. The Michigan defendant got into an automobile accident in Ohio.
• d. The Michigan defendant signed a contract in Ohio with an Ohio business.
• e. The Michigan defendant sold products in the state of Ohio that injured the purchasers.

Explanation:

In legal terms, in personam (Latin for "directed toward a particular person") means that a court can serve a defendant wherever he/she is.

In this case, a Michigan citizen can be judged in an Ohio court if he/she committed any of the cited actions:

• participated in a car accident in Ohio
• signed a contract in Ohio
• sold products in Ohio

In other words, if you live in any state but are involved in certain events or business transactions in another state, you can be judged by a court of the other state.