The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-16
roved, February 25, 1866.
IPURLIO No. 3Ql

An ACT to regulate proceedings before justices
Of the peace in the District of Columbia, and
for other purposes.
BE 1T enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
Semtatiyes tile United Stateso Anaerica in Congress
assembled, That justices of the peace in the Dis
trict OF Columbia shall have Jurisdiction in all
cases where the amount claimed to be due for
debt or damages arising out of contracts, express
or implied, or damages for wrongs or injuries to
persons or property, does not exceed one hun
dred dollars, except in cases involving the little
to real estate, actions to recover damages for as
sault, assault and battery for malicious pro-
secution, or actions against justices of the peace
or other officers for misconduct in Office, or in
tions for SANDER, verbal or written.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the su-
preme court of said district shall make and estab-
lish rules of practice and prepare and publish
forms OF pleadings for bringing all forms of ac-
ton, and the trial thereof before said justices of
the peace and shall fix and determine bill of
fees and costs to be taxed and charged by the said
Justices and by the constables of said District of
Columbia, i'll all civil suits in said District.
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That there
shall be no stay of execution on any judgment OBJ
tanned before any justice OF the peace for the wa
ges of any servant or common laborcr, or upon
anyjudgment for less than five dollars; but exc
cuton may issue for the collection thereof imme-
diately, and judgment shall be entered within two
days after the trial of the action. But on all udg-
ments or fnes except as aforesaid, stay of eXecu-
ton shall be entered as follows For the sum of
five dollars and not exceeding twenty dollars, one
month; for all sums over twenty dollars and not
exceeding forty dollars, two monts; for all sums
over forty dollars and not exceeding seventy-five
dollars, four months; for all sums exceeding Sc
twenty-five dollars, six months: Pt0vided, good
and sufficient security be entered by person or
persons who may be at the time the owner of suf-
tcient property located in SAID district above all
liabilities and exemptions, to secure said debt,
costs interest.
SEC. 4. And be it. further enacted That all justi-
of the peace may issue original writs civil and
hafO tbarnc I Mt
party, or agent, or attorney thereof may have
the cause to the nearest justice upon FL
ing an affidavit with said justice on the return day
or day of trial of said action, that he she does
not believe said justice will give him her fair
and impartial trial on account of prejudice or 9TH
reasonable cause.
son in said District shall be fined imprisoned
for dsorderly conduct unless such person was per-
sonally and individually guilty of acts disorderly
in themselves; and any officer in said District
who uses unnecessary and wanton severity in ar
resting or imprisoDing any person shall be DEEM
ed guilty of assault and battery, and upon con-
viction thereof punished therefor.
SEC. E. And be it further enacted, That in all
ing jurisdiction thereof shall allow the defendant
reasonable time to prepare for defence or obtain
ball, and no exorbitant ball shall in any case BIZ
required.
SEC. Z. And6e it further enacted, That nonresi.
dents of said District shall not commence suit
DCiOiC JuSIiCc Vi Luc pcdCc LucTclu, HltuOub
first giving sufficient security for costs.
SEC. z. Amd be it further enacted, That when
any person or persons shall be arrested on war
rant for committing assault assault and
battery, or an aftray, issued on the complaint of
the party injured by any justice of the peace Of
said District, or in of an affray on the com.
plant of any person who shall have seen the
same; every such person or persons shall be tax
en- before the justice who issued the warrant, or
ifhe be absent or otherwise incapable of acting,
then before the nearest other justice in said dis
trict, and he or they shall be admitted to plead
guilty of the charge preferred, and the said jus
tice before whom such plea may be pleaded shall
have power, and he is hereby author zed, to as
such fine or penalty as is authorized by law,
and enter judgment therefor against the person
SO pleading guilty and for cost, and issue execu-
ton thereon as in civil cases.
SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That all acts
or parts of acts of the legislature of Maryland,
of Congress, now in force, inconsistent with the
provisions of this act, are hereby repealed, and
this act, shall take effect and lie in force from
and after its passage.
Approved, February %, 1857.