State Ex Rel. Smith v. Gray

BENTON, Chief Justice.

The respondent judge ruled that, for venue purposes, a domestic insurance corporation, sued with an individual, does not “reside” in a county where it has only an office or agent for the transaction of its usual and customary business. The respondent then transferred the case from- Jackson County to Saline County. The plaintiffs below, Larry and Karen Smith, seek mandamus in this Court. The alternative writ is made peremptory. Mo. Const, art. V, sec. J.

I

According to the petition, on January 2, 1996, the Smiths’ Mercury Sable was traveling in the snow, north on U.S.…