Long-Arm Statutes

Long-arm statutes are laws that allow courts to reach beyond their usual geographical boundaries to try cases involving individuals or businesses located in other states or countries. They enable a court to have jurisdiction over someone outside its area if that person has sufficient contacts or connections with the state, such as conducting business, committing a crime, or causing harm within the state. This ensures that parties cannot avoid legal accountability simply by being outside the court’s usual jurisdiction, provided they have purposeful interactions or activities related to the case within that jurisdiction.