Case ID: mich_49/html/0511-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of William A. Simons.
    
      Impmonment for 'default in obeying order of court,
    
    A precept issued by tbe Register in Chancery for the imprisonment of a party who has been ordered to make a payment to another party, or in default thereof, be imprisoned, is void if the default has not been adjudicated by the court.
    
      Habeas corpus.
    Motion for discharge submitted and granted November 1.
    
      John G, Shields for the motion.
    
      B. A. Montgomery against.
   The relator was imprisoned under a precept issued by the Register in Chancery for the county of Ingham, for the non-payment of a sum of money which he had been required by the circuit court in chancery for that county to pay to a person named who was party to a suit in that court, in which relator was also a party. The order directed the money to be paid by a day named, and in default that relator be imprisoned in the county jail until payment, but not to exceed one year. After the day named had passed, the Register, on an affidavit being filed with him showing that payment had not been made, issued his precept for the arrest of the defendant, and he was taken and imprisoned under it.

The court held the proceeding unwarranted, and ordered the relator’s discharge. If the order of the circuit court in chancery was one the court might make, the question whether there was default in complying with it could only be adjudicated by the court itself, and a precept issued without such adjudication was void.