Under which clause are states required to recognize the judicial decisions of other states?

Under which clause are states required to recognize the judicial decisions of other states?

• A. Necessary and Proper Clause
• B. Commerce Clause
• C. Full Faith & Credit Clause
• D. Privileges & Immunities Clause

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that states must honor and enforce the judgments of courts in other states. This obligation comes from the Full Faith and Credit Clause, located in Article IV, Section 1, which requires that public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every state be given full faith and credit in all the states. That means a final judgment from one state generally must be recognized and enforceable in every other state, preventing parties from escaping obligations by moving elsewhere. This principle promotes interstate consistency and prevents relitigation across state lines. It’s also supported by the Full Faith and Credit Act for federal enforcement, though the constitutional basis is the clause mentioned. The other constitutional provisions address different powers: the Necessary and Proper Clause allows Congress to enact laws needed to carry out its powers; the Commerce Clause authorizes regulation of interstate commerce; and the Privileges & Immunities Clause protects against certain discrimination against out-of-state citizens. None of these directly establish the requirement to recognize and enforce another state's judicial decisions across state borders.

The key idea is that states must honor and enforce the judgments of courts in other states. This obligation comes from the Full Faith and Credit Clause, located in Article IV, Section 1, which requires that public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every state be given full faith and credit in all the states. That means a final judgment from one state generally must be recognized and enforceable in every other state, preventing parties from escaping obligations by moving elsewhere.

This principle promotes interstate consistency and prevents relitigation across state lines. It’s also supported by the Full Faith and Credit Act for federal enforcement, though the constitutional basis is the clause mentioned.

The other constitutional provisions address different powers: the Necessary and Proper Clause allows Congress to enact laws needed to carry out its powers; the Commerce Clause authorizes regulation of interstate commerce; and the Privileges & Immunities Clause protects against certain discrimination against out-of-state citizens. None of these directly establish the requirement to recognize and enforce another state's judicial decisions across state borders.