Case Name: Portis vs. Fall et al.
Court: Arkansas Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Arkansas
Decision Date: 1879-11
Citations: 34 Ark. 375
Docket Number: 
Parties: Portis vs. Fall et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Arkansas Reports
Volume: 34
Pages: 375–376

Head Matter:
Portis vs. Fall et al.
1. Injunction : Aone against criminal proceedings.
A court of equity will not exercise jurisdiction by way of injunction to stay proceedings in any criminal matters, or in any case not strictly of a civil nature.
APPEAL from Jefferson Circuit Court in Chancery.
Hon. J. A. Williams, Circuit Judge.
N. T. White, for appellant.

Opinion:
English, C. J.
William N. Portis was arrested on warrants issued by Benjamin E. Eall, a justice of the peace of Jefferson county, and other magistrates, on charges of violating the law of the state by setting up and exhibiting a gambling device called keno, within the limits of Pine Bluff.
In October, 1877, he filed a bill on the chancery side of the circuit court of Jefferson county, praying an injunction against the prosecutions, and a temporary injunction was granted.
Afterwards a demurrer was sustained to the bill; the injunction dissolved; the bill, dismissed for want of equity, and Portis appealed.
A court of equity will not exercise jurisdiction by way of injunction to stay proceedings in any criminal matters, or in any case not strictly of a civil nature. 2 Story Equity Jurisprudence (12 Ed.), sec. 893; Bispham's Prin. Equity, sec. 424.
Affirmed.