Opinion ID: 1806304
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Identity of the Cause of Action

Text: ¶ 12. An identity among causes of action exists when there is a commonality in the `underlying facts and circumstances upon which a claim is asserted and relief sought from the two actions.' City of Jackson v. Lakeland Lounge of Jackson, Inc., 688 So.2d 742, 749 (Miss.1996) (quoting Riley v. Moreland, 537 So.2d 1348, 1354 (Miss.1989)). ¶ 13. As discussed earlier, the claims against Pittman in federal court were separate and distinct from the state court claims. Ineffective assistance under the state claims should not have been argued in federal court since the charges, though similar, were separate in fact.