Civil Procedure Multistate Bar Practice Exam

What does a long-arm statute allow courts to do?

1. Exert jurisdiction over out-of-state defendants.

2. Limit jurisdiction to local defendants only.

3. Prevent jurisdiction in federal cases.

4. Require a physical presence in the state.

The correct answer is: Exert jurisdiction over out-of-state defendants.

A long-arm statute enables courts to exert jurisdiction over out-of-state defendants when they have sufficient minimum contacts with the state in which the court is located. The concept of minimum contacts is derived from the due process clause of the Constitution, which allows a court to establish jurisdiction as long as the defendant has engaged in activities that would justify the court's intervention. For instance, if a defendant conducts business, causes harm, or enters into contracts within the state, the long-arm statute allows the court to assert jurisdiction over them despite them not being physically present in the state. This is crucial for ensuring that individuals and entities cannot evade lawsuits simply by residing in another jurisdiction while still having connections or effects in the forum state. The other responses do not accurately capture the purpose of long-arm statutes. They either suggest restrictions on jurisdiction (as seen in the options that limit jurisdiction to local defendants or prevent jurisdiction in federal cases) or imply a requirement that is not aligned with the principle of long-arm statutes, which focus on jurisdiction based on contacts rather than physical presence.