Opinion ID: 702602
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Extent of Purposeful Injection

Text: 33 Our determination that defendants purposefully availed themselves of California law does not obviate the need to consider the degree of their intrusion. 3 Even if there is sufficient 'interjection' into the state to satisfy the [purposeful availment prong], the degree of interjection is a factor to be weighed in assessing the overall reasonableness of jurisdiction under the [reasonableness prong]. Core-Vent Corp., 11 F.3d at 1488 (brackets in original) (quoting Insurance Company of North America v. Marina Salina Cruz, 649 F.2d 1266, 1271 (9th Cir.1981)). But see Roth, 942 F.2d at 623 (degree of interjection analysis and purposeful availment inquiry redundant). 34 Richey mailed a letter to Ziegler, who was in California, demanding payment after the bank dishonored the check. When Ziegler did not cover Justin International's check, Richey referred the matter to the county sheriff to have him arrested in California. He directed his action toward a person whom he knew to be in California, with the intention of causing that person to be arrested in California, by California law enforcement officers. Richey's purposeful injection into California was significant. 35 As its executive vice-president, Richey's contacts are imputed to Riverfront Groves for purposes of determining jurisdiction. Sher v. Johnson, 911 F.2d 1357, 1362 (9th Cir.1990) (For purposes of personal jurisdiction, the actions of an agent are attributable to the principal.). Riverfront Groves' intrusion into California was therefore also significant. 36 Sheriff Dobeck and Sergeant Gibbons contributed substantially to Ziegler's allegedly wrongful arrest in California. They obtained a warrant for the arrest of a California resident, despite their apparent knowledge that no crime had been committed. Sheriff Dobeck and Sergeant Gibbons intentionally directed their actions toward California, for the purpose of having Ziegler arrested there and extradited. Their purposeful injection into California was significant. 37 The defendants' burden is the second factor. The burden to defendants from litigating in California is equal to the burden facing Ziegler from litigating in Florida. Where burdens are equal, this factor tips in favor of the defendants because the law of personal jurisdiction is primarily concerned with the defendant's burden. Terracom, 49 F.3d at 561; see also Roth, 942 F.2d at 623. 38 The interference with Florida's sovereignty, the third factor, is potentially greater here than in the ordinary tort action because defendants were following collection remedies provided under Florida law. But if they intentionally abused the remedies provided under those laws--as alleged in Ziegler's complaint--then Florida's sovereign interests are outweighed by California's interest, the fourth factor, in protecting its citizens from the wrongful acts of nonresident defendants. See Terracom, 49 F.3d at 561; Core-Vent, 11 F.3d at 1489 (California maintains a strong interest in providing an effective means of redress for its residents who are tortiously injured) (internal quotation omitted). 39 The fifth consideration is the efficiency of the forum. In evaluating this factor, we have looked primarily at where the witnesses and the evidence are likely to be located. Core-Vent, 11 F.3d at 1489. Ziegler has identified fourteen plausible witnesses who reside in California. Defendants do not list their potential witnesses residing in Florida, but they appear to consist of just Richey, Sergeant Gibbons, and Sheriff Dobeck. On this record, the efficiency factor cuts in Ziegler's favor. 40 The convenience and effectiveness of relief for the plaintiff comprise the sixth factor. Nothing in the record establishes that effective relief is not available to Ziegler in Florida. While litigating in Florida would no doubt inconvenience Ziegler, neither the Supreme Court nor our court has given much weight to inconvenience to the plaintiff. Id. at 1490. This factor therefore tips only slightly in favor of Ziegler. 41 The final factor is availability of an alternate forum. The plaintiff bears the burden of proving the unavailability of an alternative forum. Id. at 1490. Ziegler has not demonstrated that his Sec. 1983 claims cannot be litigated in Florida. This factor goes to defendants. 42 In sum, factors 3 and 7 (Florida's sovereignty interests and available alternative forum) favor defendants. Ziegler has a slight edge on factors 2 and 6 (respective burdens and convenience and effectiveness of relief), and factors 4 and 5 (California's interest and efficiency) decisively favor him. Defendants' interjection into California was significant; therefore, factor 1 weighs in favor of Ziegler. 43 Once purposeful availment has been established, the forum's exercise of jurisdiction is presumptively reasonable. To rebut that presumption, a defendant must present a compelling case that the exercise of jurisdiction would, in fact, be unreasonable. Roth, 942 F.2d at 625 (internal quotation omitted; emphasis in original). The balance of factors fails to favor defendants--in fact, it favors Ziegler. The presumption that exercising jurisdiction would be reasonable has not been overcome. 44 Aside from Indian River County, Ziegler has satisfied the three-prong specific jurisdiction test with respect to all defendants. Terracom, 49 F.3d at 560. We hold that the district court has specific jurisdiction over each defendant other than Indian River County.