Question

Which article of the Constitution would contain the following passage? “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.” A. Article IV B. Article V C. Article VI D. Article VII

Short answer

A. Article IV

Step-by-step solution

Identify Key Phrases

Examine the passage to identify key phrases. The key phrases include 'Full Faith and Credit' and 'public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.' These phrases are crucial as they can help locate the relevant article in the Constitution.

Understand the Passage

Understand the meaning of the passage. It talks about states recognizing the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states, which is related to the relationships and interactions between states.

Recall Constitutional Articles

There are seven Articles in the Constitution, each dealing with different elements of the U.S. government. Article IV deals with states' powers and limits, as well as their interactions with the federal government. Article V discusses the amendment process. Article VI addresses federal power, including the supremacy clause. Article VII outlines the ratification process.

Match Passage to Article

The passage focuses on states' recognition of each other's public acts, records, and judicial proceedings. This content directly aligns with Article IV of the Constitution, which deals with the relationships and responsibilities of states to one another.

Key concepts

Full Faith and Credit

The concept of 'Full Faith and Credit' refers to a clause in the U.S. Constitution that requires each state to recognize and respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. This clause can be found in Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution.

This means that:

• If a court in Florida issues a judgment, that judgment must be acknowledged and honored by courts in other states, like Texas or New York.
• Marriage licenses, birth certificates, and other similar documents issued by one state are considered valid in all other states.
• Legal procedures and effects rendered in one state hold the same validity in others.

This clause ensures unity and legal consistency across the United States, helping to maintain trust and cooperation among states.

State Relationships

State relationships refer to the interactions and legal recognition that states give to the acts, records, and judicial proceedings from other states. These interactions are governed in part by the 'Full Faith and Credit' clause found in Article IV of the Constitution.

To maintain positive state relationships:

• States must respect and enforce legal decisions made in other states.
• They have agreements like interstate compacts that address mutual concerns.
• States collaborate on various issues, like transportation, environmental protections, and criminal justice.

Respecting these legal recognitions helps create a cohesive and unified legal system across the country. It prevents legal conflicts and provides stability and predictability for individuals and businesses operating in multiple states.

Article IV

Article IV of the U.S. Constitution primarily deals with the states' responsibilities and interactions. It establishes the framework for state cooperation and integrity of legal procedures across state lines.

Key areas covered in Article IV include:

• Section 1: The Full Faith and Credit Clause ensures that states honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.
• Section 2: The Privileges and Immunities Clause prohibits discrimination against citizens from other states.
• Section 3: It provides the framework for admitting new states to the Union.
• Section 4: The Guarantee Clause ensures that every state has a republican form of government and protection against invasion and domestic violence.

These clauses are vital for maintaining cooperation, legal consistency, and mutual respect among states, thus preserving the union's harmony.