United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Kenny v. Supreme Lodge of the World, 252 U.S. 411 (1920)

Kenny v. Supreme Lodge of the World, Loyal Order of Moose

Nos. 269, 303

Argued March 23, 1920

Decided April 19, 1920

252 U.S. 411

Syllabus

A statute denying jurisdiction to the courts of Illinois in actions for damages occasioned by death occurring in another state in consequence of wrongful conduct was construed by the supreme court of the state as applying equally to an action on a sister-state judgment founded on such a cause of action. Held that, so applied, it contravened the full faith and credit clause of the Constitution. P. 252 U. S. 414.

The law of Alabama, which gives a right of action in that state for death by wrongful act, cannot, by its declaration that such actions may not be maintained elsewhere, affect the right to enforce by action in another state a judgment recovered on such a cause of action in Alabama. P. 252 U. S. 415.

A judgment of a state supreme court giving a meaning and effect to a statute of the state which brings it in conflict with the federal Constitution is reviewable by writ of error. P. 252 U. S. 416.

285 Illinois, 188, reversed; writ of certiorari dismissed.

THE case is stated in the opinion.

Page 252 U. S. 413