Bell Atlantic Tricon Leasing Corp. v. Johnnie's Garbage Service, Inc.

WELLS, Judge.

This appeal presents the issue of whether North Carolina should afford full faith and credit to a default judgment of a New Jersey court against a North Carolina defendant. Defendant argues that New Jersey’s exercise of in personam jurisdiction over defendant was constitutionally impermissible, rendering the New Jersey judgment void and unenforceable. We agree, and therefore reverse the superior court’s denial of defendant’s motion for relief from judgment.

Generally, one state must accord full faith and credit to a judgment rendered in another state. Florida National Bank v.…