Case ID: njl_10/html/0068-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Oh. Justice.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

William Roberts ads. John Holsworth.
    A mandamus will be issued to a Court only to direct the Court to proceed according to law, but not to direct them how to proceed.
    ITornblower, on the part of Roberts the .defendant, moved for a mandamus -to be directed to the Court of Common Pleas of Essex, to eompU them either to proceed in the cause, or to discharge the defendant on common bail, and he founded his application upon the following affidavits, viz.: “ That said defendant was on the 29th of December, A. D. 1825, arrested and held to bail, without a judge’s order, for $500. That said cause (that is Holsworth, v. Roberts) was noticed for trial before the Essex Pleas, in April term 1827, a^id remained without further notice, until April term 1828, when this defendant moved the court by his counsel, to have the same brought to trial, which was denied him. That this defendant was surrendered, in discharge of special bail, on the 21st of September, 1827, but no bail piece and commititur thereon, was committed to the late or present sheriff of said county; and defendant still remains in the common goal of the county of Essex, by virtue of such said surrender.” That in January term, A. D. 1828, this defendant, by his counsel, applied to the said Court of Common Pleas, to b.e discharged on common' bail, or for a judgment of nonsuit on said circumstances; which was also denied him.
   Oh. Justice.

To officers, a writ of mandamus may go to direct them how to proceed, and what to do; but a mandamus to a Court, only, directs them to proceed according to law, and does not direct them how to proceed. The furthest we have ever gone in these cases of mandamus, is in appeals to the Common Pleas, from the judgment of a justice, where we have directed the Court of Common Pleas, to restore an appeal-which had been dismissed. But this is in effect nothing more than ordering them to proceed, and not directing the manner in which they shall proceed.

Motion denied.