Case ID: ga_100/html/0382-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Cobb, Justice.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

HARRIS v. CITY COUNCIL OF AUGUSTA.
    "Under .the charter and ordinances of the city of Augusta in force on 'the 30th day of June, 1896, the recorder of that city had authority to punish violations of such ordinances hy fines, and •to- enforce 'the collection thereof hy imprisonment.
    
      Argued. January 23,
    
    Decided March 4, 1897.
    Habeas corpus. Before Judge Callaway. Richmond •county. July 15, 1896.
    
      Charles A. Picquet and Salem Dutdher, for plaintiff.
    
      M. P. Carroll, for defendant.
   Cobb, Justice.

Under the act of 1856 (Acts 1855-56, p. 248, sec. 16), the recorder of the city of Augusta has power “to commit or to impose such penalty as the ordinances of the city may prescribe, and to' enforce his judgment by attachment of the person.” Under this authority the recorder could impose a fine which was expressly authorized by the ordinances of the city, and enforce its payment by imprisonment, although there was no ordinance declaring that he had authority to impose a penalty of imprisonment. The charter power conferred upon him to “commit . . and enforce his judgment by attachment of the person” confers upon him the power to imprison, without any enabling ordinance.

Judgment affirmed.

All five J ustices concurring.