Case ID: dc_1/html/0150-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "But the Court", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

United States v. John F. Ismenard, John Ismenard, and Robert Smith.
    A public gaming-liouse is a public nuisance at common law. Upon a joint indic.tment the judgment must be several.
    Indictment for keeping a public gaming-house.
    1st Count. Common nuisance. 2d. Under the Act of Assembly of Maryland, 1797, c. 110, prohibiting faro-tables, and other gambling devices, to be kept by tavern-keepers and retailers of wine and spirits.
    
      Mr. Mason, the Attorney for the District,
    cited 1 Hawk. 360, 362, that a public gaming-house is a common nuisance.
    
      Mr. E. B. Caldwell and Mr. P. B. Key,
    contended that playing at cards or dice is not malum in se; nor in itself an offence at common law. 11 Co. 87, (6). And that a public gaming-house is no offence at common law unless it become disorderly, so as to disturb the neighbors. 4 Bl. Com. 167, 171.
   But the Court

(nem. con.) instructed the jury that a public gaming-house is a common nuisance. The verdict having been rendered against the defendants upon the first count only, and the indictment being joint, it became a question whether the judgment should be joint or several; and the following authorities were cited: Jones v. The Commonwealth, 1 Call, 555 ; Godfrey's case, 11 Co. 42; 2 Hawk. B. 2, c. 48, § 10, 17, 18, p. 633 ; Esp. N. P. 420; 2 Hawk. c. 25, § 89, p. 342.

The Court imposed the fines severally: namely, on J. F. Isme-nard, $133§, on John Ismenard, $50, on Robert Smith, $25; and required each of them to give security in five hundred dollars for his good behavior for one year.