Jurisdiction Jurisdiction is the authority of the court to hear and make a judgment on the case held before it. Personal jurisdiction is the authority over the plaintiff and the defendant in the case, while subject-matter jurisdiction is the right to make judgment in the context of the case. In both cases discussed in this essay, Ezell vs. Bowen and in Sherburne County Department of Social Services vs. Kennedy, jurisdiction is a major element of …showed first 75 words of 604 total…

…showed last 75 words of 604 total…of personal jurisdiction resulted in him not having to go through a paternity test. Had it been proven that he was indeed the father of her child, then the Department of Social Services could proceed in suing him for emotional and finacial damages accrued by Ms. Puoliot as a direct result of her pregnancy and the birth of her son. In both cases, a lack of jurisdiction was found, and used as grounds for dismissal.