Case Name: Henry Shaffner, et al., v. Commonwealth
Court: Kentucky Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: Kentucky
Decision Date: 1879-09-23
Citations: 10 Ky. Op. 329
Docket Number: 
Parties: Henry Shaffner, et al., v. Commonwealth.
Judges: 
Reporter: Kentucky Opinions, containing the unreported opinions of the Court of Appeals
Volume: 10
Pages: 329–330

Head Matter:
Henry Shaffner, et al., v. Commonwealth.
Forfeiture of Bail Bond.
A proceeding to forfeit a bail bond is a civil proceeding, and is entirely different from the prosecution against the principal; it is against more than one person, and the judge not qualified to try the criminal case may try and determine the civil case.
APPEAL PROM METCALPE CRIMINAL COURT.
September 23, 1879.
Lezvis & McQuown, for appellants.
Hardin, for appellee.

Opinion:
Opinion by
Judge Pryor:
There is nothing in the record to show that the accused was in court at the time the case was called for trial, and therefore tire court properly forfeited the bond. The execution or forfeiture of the bond should not be regarded as part of the prosecution, to the extent, at least, of excluding a judge from hearing the case, to whom objections had been made applicable alone to the charge contained in the indictment. The proceeding on the bond is against different parties, and it is in effect a civil action in the name of the commonwealth, and these sureties are making no objection to the judge who tried the case. It is an independent proceeding, and forms no part of the prosecution upon which the objection to the judge was based.. In addition his failure to appear should be regarded as a waiver of his objections to the judge, and it is a matter of grave doubt as to whether a judge could have been selected in his absence. We perceive no valid objection to the summons.
Judgment affirmed.