Case ID: misc_38/html/0660-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Clarke, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The People ex rel. Tony Sanfilippo, Relator, v. The New York Catholic Protectory, Respondent.
    (Supreme Court, New York Special Term,
    September, 1902.)
    Crimes — Sentence of a child under sixteen guilty of a misdemeanor — Penal Code, § 713.
    In view of the provisions of the Penal Code, § 713, that “A child under sixteen years of age committed for misdemeanor, under any provision of this code, must be committed to some reformatory, charitable or other institution authorized by law to receive and take charge of minors ”, a child under sixteen duly convicted in the city of New York of the misdemeanor of petit larceny, must be sentenced to an institution of the character above stated, e. g., the New York Catholic Protectory, and is not within the prior provision of said section enacting that a person under sixteen, convicted of a crime, may “be placed in charge of any suitable person or institution willing to receive him”.
    Habeas corpus proceedings.
    A. J. Oishei, for relator.
    Joseph T. Eyan, for respondent.
   Clarke, J.

Proceedings on writ of habeas corpus. Relator’s son, a hoy under sixteen, was sentenced by the recorder on his confession, upon his trial at General Sessions, of the crime of petit larceny, “to be sent to the NJew York Catholic Protectory, to be dealt with according to law.” Section 713 of the Penal Code provides, “ When a person under the age of sixteen is convicted of a crime, he may, in the discretion of the court, instead of being sentenced to fine or imprisonment, be placed in charge of any suitable person or institution willing to receive him, and be thereafter, until majority or for a shorter term, subjected to such discipline and control, etc.” The same section further provides: “A child under sixteen years of. age committed for misdemeanor, under any provision of this code, must be committed to some reformatory, charitable or other institution authorized by law to receive and take charge of minors.” Hence it follows that a child under sixteen convicted of a felony may, in the discretion of the court, instead of being sentenced to a fine or imprisonment, be placed in charge of a suitable person or institution until majority” or for a shorter term, but in case of conviction for a misdemeanor, he must be committed to some reformatory, charitable or other institution authorized by -law to receive and take charge of minors. The protectory is such an institution. Relator’s son was duly convicted of a misdemeanor, to wit, petit larceny. The court had jurisdiction of the person and the crime. The sentence was required by the law. “ The statute to which reference has been made provided a mode of treatment of the child by the court and institution for the good of. the public and the protection and benefit of the child. Such legislation has existed for many years, and received the approval of judges and courts. We think the legislation was adopted in good faith for the purpose of protecting the public as well as for the purpose of saving such children from profligacy and crime, and .that it is valid.” People ex. rel. Zeese v. Masten, 79 Hun, 583.

Writ dismissed and relator’s son remanded.