Case ID: cal_10/html/0093-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Burnett, J., delivered the opinion of the Court", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

DENMARK et al. v. LIENING.
    Tho failure of a justice of the peace to state in his docket that the summons was returned “served,” will not vitiate the judgment on appeal.
    The fact of service may be shown by the return of the officer on the summons.
    Appeal from the County Court of Colusa County.
    
      The facts of the case appear in the opinion of the Court.
    
      Smith & Hardy for Appellant.
    
      Crocker & McKune for Respondent.
   Burnett, J., delivered the opinion of the Court

Field, J., concurring.

Action before a justice of the peace. Judgment by default, against defendant. Appeal to County Court, where the appeal was dismissed, the judgment affirmed, and the defendant appealed to this Court.

It is objected, by the defendant, that the justice's docket does not show that the summons was> properly served upon the defendant. The entry upon the docket states the issuing of the summons, its date, and the time when made returnable; but contains no statement that it was returned by the officer. The summons was returned by the sheriff, with his certificate, showing that due service was made on July 21st, 1857, and the judgment was entered July 23d. We think the fact of service may be shown by the return of the officer; and that the failure of the justice to state the fact of service in his docket, will not vitiate the judgment on appeal.

The appeal was on questions of law alone; and the only ground of error alleged in the statement was, that there had been no legal service of the summons, and, therefore, the justice had no jurisdiction. The service being good, and the defendant alleging no other ground, the County Court committed no error in affirming the judgment.

Judgment affirmed.