Case ID: iowa_35/html/0419-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Day, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Estep v. Lacy.
    Costs: EFFECT OF PARDON ON RIGHT TO RECOVER. A general pardon from the executive to a convict does not operate as a remission of the judgment for costs against him.
    
      Appeal from Louisa District Qourri.
    
    Tuesday, December 12.
    Action of replevin, for certain property seized by tbe defendant as sheriff, in virtue of an execution for costs in a case of tbe State of Iowa against plaintiff. Plaintiff alleges that be received a full and complete pardon from tbe governor, and that this operated as a remission of tbe judgment for fine and costs. Judgment for defendant. Plaintiff appeals.
    
      Oloud & Broomhall for the appellant.
    
      D. N. Sprague and M. E. Quits, attorney-general, for tbe appellee.
   Day, J.

Upon tbe trial tbe fact that plaintiff bad received a full and unqualified pardon was proved, and it was admitted that defendant was entitled to a judgment, unless plaintiff was discharged from tbe payment of tbe costs in question by tbe pardon of tbe governor. In our opinion tbe court below ruled rightly. Although tbe costs follow tbe conviction as a necessary incident, yet they constitute a fund distinct from tbe fine, and are eventually due tbe witnesses and tbe various officers of tbe law.

They are not affected by a general pardon • discharging a convict from a fine and judgment of imprisonment. Upon this point see tbe following: County of Schuylkill v. Rufsnider, 46 Penn. 446; State v. McO'Blenis, 21 Mo. 272; Holliday v. The People, 6 Gill. 214; State v. Farley, 8 Blackf. 229; Ex parte McDonald, 2 Wharf. 440.

Affirmed.