Case Name: NEALE v. MINIFIE
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1810-12
Citations: 17 F. Cas. 1267
Docket Number: 
Parties: NEALE v. MINIFIE.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 17
Pages: 1267–1267

Head Matter:
Case No. 10,070.
NEALE v. MINIFIE.
[2 Cranch. C. C. 16.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia.
Dec. Term, 1810.
Pause Imprisonment — Justice op Peace — Malice.
A justice of the peace is not liable in an action of false imprisonment under an illegal warrant issued by him, unless it be issued maliciously.
This was a motion for a new trial on the ground of misdirection of the jury, by the court, at the last term, in instructing the jury that it was not necessary for the plaintiff to prove malice, in an action against the defendant, a justice of the peace, for false imprisonment, the justice having committed the plaintiff for profane swearing, and making a disturbance in the market.
[Reported by Hon. William Cranch, Chief Judge.]

Opinion:
THE COURT
(nem. con.) granted the new trial, being satisfied that a justice of the peace is not liable in an action for false imprisonment, for issuing an illegal warrant on which the plaintiff is imprisoned; unless it be done maliciously.