Case ID: mich_173/html/0411-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Pee Cubiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

PEOPLE v. BRANNEN.
    1. Appeal and Error — Bastardy Proceedings — Criminal Law —Judgment.
    A writ of error does not lie in any case before judgment, and will not issue to review bastardy proceedings after conviction and before judgment or sentenoe.
    2. Same — Certiorari.
    No judgment known to tbe common law is rendered in such cases; the proceedings are purely statutory, the judgment being final and reviewable only by writ of certiorari.
    Error to Oakland; Smith, J.
    Submitted November 14, 1912.
    (Docket No. 136.)
    Decided December 17, 1912.
    Hugh J. Brannen was convicted of being the father of an illegitimate child.
    Dismissed.
    
      Andrew L. Moore, for appellant.
    
      Carl H. Pelton, Prosecuting Attorney, and Clinton McGee, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.
   Pee Cubiam.

In bastardy proceedings respondent was convicted by a jury. A motion for a new trial was denied. No judgment has been entered. Respondent assigned errors and settled a bill of exceptions, which is brought into this court by writ of error.

A writ of error lies in any case only to review a judgment. Aside from this, the practice in such cases has been misconceived. We are aware that in one, and, perhaps, in more than one, case the proceeding appears to have been reviewed upon writ of error; no notice being taken of the use of the writ. See Hull v. People, 41 Mich. 167 (2 N. W. 175). The proceeding is, however, purely statutory, not after the course of the common law, and is summary. No judgment known to the common law follows the verdict, and the judgment rendered is final. 2 Comp. Laws, §§ 5904, 5905 (2 How. Stat. [2d Ed.] §§ 4989, 4990). The only remedy available to an aggrieved party is by writ of certiorari. Cross v. People, 8 Mich. 113.

The writ must be dismissed.