Case ID: cal_7/html/0104-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Terry, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

FREEMAN et al. v. POWERS et al.
    
    The jurisdiction of justices of the peace is limited by the Constitution to cases in which the value of the thing in controversy does not exceed the sum of two hundred dollars, except in proceedings under the statute concerning forcible entry and unlawful detainer.
    The fact that the thing in dispute, a mining-claim, is worth more than two hundred dollars, ousts the justice of his jurisdiction.
    Appeal from the County Court of the County of Calaveras.
    
      This was an action, brought by Freeman and others, for the recovery of the possession of a mining claim, before a justice of the peace, who rendered judgment for defendants. Plaintiffs appealed to the County Court, where a trial de novo was had, and judgment entered for the plaintiffs. On the trial in the County Court, the defendants offered to prove one of the allegations in their answer, that the claim in controversy exceeded in value the sum of two hundred dollars, which the Court refused to permit them to do. Defendants appealed.
    
      Robinson, Beatty & Botts, for Appellants.
    
      Crocker & Robinson for Respondents.
   Terry, J.,

delivered the opinion of the Court—Murray, C. J., concurring.

The jurisdiction of justices of the peace is limited by the Constitution to cases in which the amount involved does not exceed two hundred dollars, excepting in proceedings arising under the statute concerning forcible entry and detainer. See Zander w. Coe, 5 Cal.; and V an Etten & Steel v. Jilson, and Hart v. Moon, 6 Cal., 19 and 161.

It follows that the Court erred in refusing to allow defendant to prove the value of the mining-claim, as alleged in his answer.

Judgment reversed and cause remanded.