Case ID: me_124/html/0035-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Deasy, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

State of Maine vs. Dan Sobel.
    Knox.
    Opinion July 12, 1924.
    
      In a mere statement of venue contained in a complaint one place may be alleged and another proved provided both are within the jurisdiction of the court.
    
    In a search and seizure proceeding the complaint must contain a special designation of the place to be searched. In this case the place is clearly designated. The fact that the venue is laid in one town and the place to be searched is described as in another, both being in the same County, is immaterial.
    On exceptions. A search and seizure process. The respondent was tried to a jury and found guilty and his counsel filed a motion in arrest of judgment alleging that the complaint was fatally defective in that the premises to be searched were stated therein to be in Camden, while the venue was laid therein in Rockland, which motion was overruled and respondent excepted.
    Exceptions overruled.
    The case is stated in. the opinion.
    
      Z. M. Dwinal, County Attorney, for the State.
    
      Oscar H. Emery, for the respondent.
    Sitting: Cornish, C. J., Philbrook, Morrill, Wilson, Deasy, JJ.
   Deasy, J.

Search and seizure process. In the complaint the premises to be searched are stated to be in Camden. The venue is laid in Rockland. The respondent contends that this creates a fatal defect. Not so. As required by the Constitution (Article I., Section 5) and by the Statutes of the State (R. S., Chap. 127, Sec. 29) the complaint contains a “special designation of the place to be searched.” The description is so clear as to leave no doubt as to the place intended. The laying of venue is no part of such designation. The fact that it names another place in the same County is immaterial. It is well settled that in a mere statement of venue one place may be alleged and another proved, provided that both are within the jurisdiction of the court. State v. Mahoney, 115 Maine, 256, 14 R. C. L., 181; Commonwealth v. Tolliver, 8 Gray, 386; Commonwealth v. Lavery, 101 Mass., 208; Commwealth v. Snell, 189 Mass., 17; Ledbetter v. United States, 170 U. S., 606.

Exceptions overruled.

Judgment for the State.