Case Name: AARON MILLER and ELIZABETH his wife v. SAMUEL B. MILLER
Court: New Jersey Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1832-05
Citations: 13 N.J.L. 165
Docket Number: 
Parties: AARON MILLER and ELIZABETH his wife v. SAMUEL B. MILLER.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Law Reports
Volume: 13
Pages: 165–165

Head Matter:
AARON MILLER and ELIZABETH his wife v. SAMUEL B. MILLER.
A justice, in the court for the trial of small causes, is not authorized to dismiss a suit, after he has heard the merits of the cause. He should render a judgment for one of the parties.
Scudder for the plaintiffs.

Opinion:
Ewing, C. J.
This certiorari is brought by the plaintiffs- in the action before the co.urt for the trial of small causes.
The entry made by the justice on his docket, after hearing the evidence and allegations of the parties and taking time to advise, is in the following words:
" 16th of May, 1829, I proceeded and gave judgment in favor of the defendant against the plaintiffs for eighty-seven and a half cents costs, and dismissed the suit."
After having heard the merits of the cause, the justice was not authorized, as there was no want of jurisdiction, to dismiss the suit. He should have rendered a judgment for one of the parties. .
Reversed.