Relations Among States

Question 1

How does the Full Faith and Credit Clause work with judgments?

Answer 1

Out-of-state judgments must be given in-state effect IF
-> the court rendering judgment had jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter
-> the judgment was on the merits
AND
-> the judgment was final

Question 2

How does the Full Faith and Credit Clause work with laws (public acts)?

Answer 2

The Full Faith and Credit Clause is “less demanding” with respect to the application of the laws of other states, so it depends on when another state’s laws apply to a case within a different state.