Smyrna times., 1867-08-28
TPUBLIC-No. 39.1

[PUBILC-No. 80.
AN Acct TO regulate proceedings before justices of
the peace in the District of Columbia, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentdtiUeS of the United States of america in Con-
gress assembled, That justices of tie peace in the
District OF Columbia shall have jurisdiction in all
cases where the amount claimed to be due for debt
damages arising out Of contracts, express or i'm
Piled or damages for wrongs injuries to persons
property, does not exceed one hundred dollars
except in involving the title TO real estate
actions to recover damages for assault, assault
and battery, or for malicious prosecution, actions
against justices of the peace other officers for
misconduct in Office, OF in actions for sander, verbal
written.
Sec 2. and be IL further enacted, That the su.
preme court of said district shall make and establish
rules of practice, and prepare and publish forms of
pleadngs for bringing all forms of action, and the
Iial 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, in all civil
suits in said District.
SEC. 3. And be il further enacted, That there
shall be no stay of execution any judgment OBJ
thined before any justice of the peace tor the wages
OF any servant common lahore, or upon any
judgment for less than FIVE dollars; but execution
may issue for the collection thereof Immediately
and judgment shall be entered within two days after
/
fines, except aforesaid, stay Of execution shall bC
entered follows For the Of five dollars and
not exceeding twenty dollars, one month; for al
sums over twenty dollars and not exceeding forty
dollars, two months for all forty dollars
aud not exceeding seventy five dollars, four months
/ for all sums exceeding seventy.five dollars si'
months: PrOrided good and sufficient security b,
entered by person or persons who may be at th'
time the Of sufficient property located in salt
district, above all liabilities and exemptions to sccur
said debt, COSTS and interest
SEC. 4. And be IL further enacted That all Justice
of the peace may issue original writs, civil ant
criminal, returnable before themselves; but an,
party, or agent, or attorney thereof may have tn
cause removed to the nearest justice upon filing
affidavit with said justice the return day or da
Of tral of said action, that he she does not be
: lieve said justice will give him or her fair and i'm
partial trial account Of prejudice other reason
able Cause.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That no perso
in said District shall be imprisoned Cor dis .rderl
conduct unless such person personally and il
dlvldually guilty of acts disorderly in themselves
and any officer in said District who uses unnece.
sary and wanton severity in arrcstng or imprisor
ing any person shall be deemed guilty of assau
and battery, and upon conviction thereof punshe
therefor.
SIC. 6. And be it further enacted, That in a
= criminal cases offences charged the justice ha
. ing jurisdiction thereof shall allow the deiendaI
reasonable time TO prepare for defence or obta
bail, and no exorbitant bail shall in any case be r
= quired
SEC 7. And be it further enacted That non-res
4 dents of said District shall not commence su
before any justice Of the peace therein, without fir
:. giving sufficient security for costs.
Sec. 8. And be it further enacted. That when ar
-, person persons shall be arrested a warrant f
committing assault an assault and battery
y an affray, issued the complaint of the par
a injured by any justice of the peace of said Distrit
), or in any of affray, the complaint of al
- person who shall have seen the same; every SUI
- person or persons shall be taken before the justi
. who issued the warrant if he be absent or othC
= wise incapable Of acting, then before the neare
= other Justice in said district, and he they shall
! admitted to plead guilty Of the charge preferr'
&c and the said justice before whom such plea may
- pleaded shall have power, and he is hereby auth
. lied, to assess such fine penalty as is authoriz
% by law, and enter judgment therefor against I
s. person pleading guilty and for cost, and ss
- :; execution thereon as in civil cases.
- SEC. 3. And be ii further enacted, That all acts
II parts of acts Of the Legislature of Maryland, or
- Congress, now in force, Inconsistent with the p
visions of this act, are hereby repealed, and this
=" shall take effect AID be in force from and after
m passage.
~ ~ Approved, February %, 1867.