Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-10-07
Jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace

Jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace.
The following act was passed at the last
session of the Legislature, and is one of
such manifest Importance that we publish
lit, as alike of interest to the bar and the
people.
AN ACT TO extend the jurisdiction Of Justices of
the Peace in civil cases.
The People of the State ofWisconsin represent
ted in Senate and Assembly do enact fol-
lows:
Section l. The Jurisdiction Of justices of the
peace in all civil suits commenced before them
from and after the passage IF this act is hereby
extended in the cases hereinafter mentioned TO the
sum Of one hundred dollars: First In all actions
arising on contract for the recovery Of money on
lv: Second. In all actions for damages for an
injury to the person 10 real or personal proper
ity: Third, An action for a penalty given by
statute: Fourth, In all actions commenced by
attachment of property as provided by stat
ne Fifth, In all actions where the plaintiffs de-
mand on account or on note, bill, bond or
other instrument IN writing given for the payment
of money or other valuable article for any amount
over one hundred dollars has been reduced by
credits given or bv payments endorsed thereon to
a SUN not exceeding one hundred dollars exelu-
siye Of interest, and where the payments are TO
+ be made by instalment or any bond or note, an
action NAV be brought for each insfalment it
shall become due: Sixth, la al actions upon a
surety bond taken by them, though the penalty
or amount claimed exceed one hundred dol
/ lars.
I Sec. 2 But no justice Of the peace shall have
cognizauce of a action where the title 70 real pro-
perry shall come Ia question. nor Of a matter Of
accouni where the sum total Of the accounts Of
( l,,.f, rarsfaz prnvpA - Tho safizftcfinu Of the
Justice shall exceed four hundred dollars
See. g. A iuIgemeni by confession may be en-
tered before justice Of the peace in any sum not
exceeding two hundred dollars without action Ell
Their for money due or to secure any person against
coming mt liability on behalf Of the defendant
or both in the manner prescribed by this act.
Sec. 4. A statement IN writing must be made,
signed bv the defendant 2 I'D versifed by his oath
to The following effect: First, It must state the
amount for which Judgment may be entered, and
authorize the entry If judgment therefor by the
Justice: Second, Fit be for money due or TO be
come due, It must state concsely the facts oct Of
which II arose. and must sheyy that the sum con-
fsssed therefor is justly due or to become due:
Third. If il be for the purpose Of securing the
plaintiff against contingent liability ii must state
coneisely the facts c.. -. liability, and
mus, shew that the sum confessed therefor does
not exceed the same.
+ Sec. ;. The statement and affidavit made as
aforesaid in al cases where Judgement = entered
/ bv confession siali be iilesl with the Justice.
/ Sec. 6. All acts or parts Of acts coniraveniug
the provisions Of this act are hereby repealed.
y r. WHITESIDE.
Speaker az the Assembly.
John T. HOLMES,
Lieut. Gov AID President q the Senate.
IAPproeed, NELSON DEWEY