Case ID: mart-os_1/html/0021-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Lewis, J. alone.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

SAUL. vs. AILIER.
    
    Fall 1809
    First District.
    The plaintiff as special administrator, brought this action to recover the forfeiture under the ordinance of the officer exercising, the functions of Governor-General & Intendant in the province,of Louisiana, of the 7th of September 1804, for the appointment of a special administrator; the defendant being charged with having neglected to give notice of the death of a person, who had died in his house, and whose estate was liable to be administrated upon by the special administrator.
    Bail not required on Penal statutes.
    
      Porter, for the defendant,
    moved that his bail might be discharged. He contended that in an action on a penal statute, bail cannot be legally required, unles the statute especially authorizes the demand of it, as every man is to be presumed innocent, until the contrary appears. 1 Bac. Abr. 330. Seld. Prac. 50. Barnes 80, Tid 19.
    
      Duncan, contra.
    The authorities cited by the defendant’s counsel, do not apply to this country, The statute of the territory authorizes the plaintiff to demand bail, in all cases in which the sum demanded is above one hundred dollars.
    
      Porter in reply.
    It is not pretended that the English decisions are binding on this court as precedents, and they are not referred to under that idea. But they are referred to, for information on a subject depending on sound reason. In England the statute of George, on the subject of bail, is as general as that of our territory referred to by the plantiff's counsel, and cases like the present are not excepted from its provisions, yet the court has made the exception founded on the maxim which I have stated.
   By the Court,

Lewis, J. alone.

Let the bail be discharged.