Case Name: In the Matter of the Application of J. A. WOODS for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
Court: Supreme Court of California
Jurisdiction: California
Decision Date: 1911-10-20
Citations: 161 Cal. 238
Docket Number: Crim. No. 1710
Parties: In the Matter of the Application of J. A. WOODS for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
Judges: 
Reporter: California Reports
Volume: 161
Pages: 238–239

Head Matter:
[Crim. No. 1710.
In Bank.
October 20, 1911.]
In the Matter of the Application of J. A. WOODS for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
Justice’s Court—Constitutional Amendment op 1911—Courts Not Abolished.—The amendment of 1911 of sections 1, 11, and 15 of article VI of the state constitution does not abolish the justice’s courts and other inferior courts which had been previously established by acts of the legislature. They remain in existence with the jurisdiction vested in them until the legislature shall, in the exercise of the power given by the section as amended, otherwise provide.
The Petitioner was held in custody by the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, in pursuance of a Commitment issued out of the justice’s court of Los Angeles township on the fourteenth day of October, 1911. He claimed to be entitled to be discharged from such custody on the ground that by a constitutional amendment adopted on the tenth day of October, 1911, the office of justice of the peace was abolished. The further facts are stated in the opinion of the court.
R J. Adcock, for Petitioner.

Opinion:
THE COURT.
The application for a writ of habeas corpus is denied. The recent amendment of sections 1, 11, and 15 of article VI of the constitution does not abolish the justices courts and other inferior courts which had been previously established by acts of the legislature. They remain in existence with the jurisdiction vested in them by the acts creating them, until the legislature shall, in the exercise of the power given by the section as amended, otherwise provide.