Cooper v. Newell explained

Litigants:Cooper v. Newell
Decidedate:April 3
Decideyear:1899
Fullname:Cooper v. Newell
Usvol:173
Uspage:555
Holding:The final decision of a state court that claimed general jurisdiction may be collaterally attacked in federal court on the basis that the state court needed personal jurisdiction instead.
Majority:Fuller
Joinmajority:unanimous
Lawsapplied:Judiciary Act of 1891

Cooper v. Newell, 173 U.S. 555 (1899), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held that the final decision of a state court that claimed general jurisdiction over a defendant may be collaterally attacked in federal court on the basis that the state court needed personal jurisdiction instead. Cooper upheld the constitutionality of the Judiciary Act of 1891 under the Full Faith and Credit Clause because that Congress may prescribe the general rules of how federal courts may recognize state court decisions.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Lieberman, Jethro K. . A Practical Companion to the Constitution . 1999 . 209 . Full Faith and Credit.