Lawrence v. Goynes
Lawrence v. Goynes
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
It is conceded that in so far as the two defendants are concerned the action was rightfully brought against them in Mahoning County, each having filed answers to plaintiff’s petition, which alleged joint and concurrent negligence against defendants.
“In such action, a reviewing court is unwarranted in holding that the dismissal from the suit of the resident defendant in and of itself deprives the trial court of jurisdiction over the nonresident defendant, when there is no affirmative showing that such dismissal was on account of non-liability or misjoinder.”
Jurisdiction may not be established by agreement of the parties. Once conferred it may not be removed by agreement of the parties. Once jurisdiction is established it remains until the facts warrant the court in determining otherwise.
The settlement of the claim by the plaintiff with the resident defendant does not indicate that the claimant has no valid claim against him; it does not indicate that the action was not rightfully brought in Mahoning County.
Judgment reversed and cause remanded for further proceedings.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.