Landers v. Jones

OPINION

ANDERSON, Justice.

We are asked to decide whether a defendant’s participation in a joint motion for continuance in juvenile court constitutes a general appearance and, therefore, a waiver of the defendant’s right to contest the issue of personal jurisdiction. For the reasons set out below, we conclude that a defendant does not waive the right to contest personal jurisdiction by participating in a joint motion for continuance.

BACKGROUND

The plaintiff, Tina Landers, a resident of Greeneville, Tennessee, filed a paternity pro ceeding in the Juvenile Court of Greene County, Tennessee,…