Question

How should the executive branch of one state respond to laws and court decisions in other states?

Responses

The Tenth Amendment states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the states.

The Tenth Amendment states that powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution are reserved to the states.

It can choose to assist or not, because each state has sovereign power.

It can choose to assist or not, because each state has sovereign power.

The federal judicial system handles conflicts among the states.

The federal judicial system handles conflicts among the states.

The full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution requires state executives to honor and enforce the laws and decisions of other states.

The full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution requires state executives to honor and enforce the laws and decisions of other states.

Answer 1

Best answer: The full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution requires states to recognize and generally give effect to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Brief clarification:
- That obligation is strongest for judicial judgments (civil judgments must normally be recognized and enforced).
- States do not enforce another state's criminal laws or literally apply another state's statutes within their territory; they give effect to records and judgments arising under them.
- There are narrow defenses (e.g., procedural or strong public‑policy exceptions) and disputes between states or about the clause can be resolved by the federal courts (including the U.S. Supreme Court).
- The Tenth Amendment does not override the Full Faith and Credit requirement.