Legal Definitions - minimum contacts

Minimum contacts refer to the connections a nonresident defendant has with the state where a lawsuit is filed. These connections must be sufficient for the state to have the authority to assert personal jurisdiction over the defendant. If there are no minimum contacts, it violates the defendant's constitutional right to due process and is considered unfair.

There are two types of minimum contacts: general jurisdiction and specific jurisdiction. General jurisdiction means the defendant has enough connections with the state to be sued for any claim, even if it's unrelated to their activities in the state. Specific jurisdiction means the defendant's connections with the state are related to the claim being made against them.

Examples of minimum contacts include:

• Conducting business within the state
• Incorporating in the state
• Visiting the state

For instance, if a company has an office in a state and conducts business there, it has minimum contacts with that state. If someone sues the company for a claim related to their business activities in that state, the state has specific jurisdiction over the company. Similarly, if a person visits a state and causes harm to someone there, the state has specific jurisdiction over that person.