Case Name: State of Louisiana v. Chapman Epps
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1875-03
Citations: 27 La. 227
Docket Number: No. 5590
Parties: State of Louisiana v. Chapman Epps.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Annual Reports
Volume: 27
Pages: 227–227

Head Matter:
No. 5590.
State of Louisiana v. Chapman Epps.
There can. no judgment be passed, -when there was no arraignment. The arraignment is the issue made, and when there is no issue, there oau be no trial. This absolute requirement of the law is not cured by the fact that the accused was brought into court and tried without objeotion.
APPEAL from the Fourth Judicial District Court, parish of St. James. Flagg, J. Criminal case.
iff. Maries, District Attorney, for the State, appellee. Winchester é Pugh, for defendant and appellant.

Opinion:
Morgan, J.
The record in this case does not show that the defendant was arraigned.
The arraignment was necessary. It is then that the prisoner is called on to plead to the indictment; it is then that the issue between him and the State is made up. Without this there is no issue; without an issue there can be no judgment. This absolute requirement of the law is not cured by the fact that he is brought into court and is tried without objection. Without his having been arraigned, there was nothing to try.
It is therefore ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the judgment of the District Court be avoided, annulled, and reversed, and that the case be remanded to be proceeded with according to law.