Case ID: la-ann_34/html/1197-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Bermudez, C. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 8715.
    The State of Louisiana ex rel. Cremonini vs. The Mayor of Baton Rouge.
    A mandamus lies to compel a municipal officer, clofeliod witli judicial powers, to grant an appeal from a judgment imposing a fine under the provisions of a municipal ordinance charged with unconstitutionality.
    The defense, that the party fined and imprisoned for non-payment of the fine, was released on habeas corpus by the District Judge, owing to the unconetitutionality of the ordinanoe, is no reason why the appeal should not be granted to the party by the magistrate.
    A PPLICATION for a Mandamus.
    
      Cross d; Jones, for the Relator.
    
      C. C. Bird, City Attorney, for the Respondent.
   The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Bermudez, C. J.

This is an application for a mandamus to compel the defendant, who is clothed with certain judicial powers, to grant n suspensive appeal from a judgment rendered by him, inflicting a fine; under the provisions of a municipal ordinance charged with unconstitutionality.

The answer of the defendant, is, that no appeal should ho granted, for the reason t-liat the Relator who had been imprisoned for nonpayment of the fine imposed, was released on habeas corpus by the local District Judge, on the ground. that the ordinance is indeed unconstitutional.

The defendant does not, by such answer, justify his conduct. It is a non seqtiitur to say that because the District Judge has, in the proceeding stated, declared the ordinance to he unconstitutional, the Relator is not entitled to have the judgment rendered by the defendant reviewed on appeal by this Court.

A flue having been inflicted under the provisions of a municipal ordinance, the constitutionality of which is assailed, the Relator is clearly entitled to the relief sought. Const. 1879, Art. 81.

It is, therefore, ordered and decreed, that the alternative mandamus issued he made peremptory and, accordingly, that the defendant do grant the Relator the suspensive appeal asked, on his complying with legal requirements.