Case Name: Small vs. Bixley
Court: New York Supreme Court of Judicature
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1835-06
Citations: 18 Wend. 270
Docket Number: 
Parties: [514] Small vs. Bixley.
Judges: 
Reporter: Wendell's Reports
Volume: 18
Pages: 270–271

Head Matter:
[514] Small vs. Bixley.
Where a defendant in replevin avows and justifies the taking, and only a part of the property is found in his favor, the value of which is assessed at less than $50, he is entitled to no more costs than damages.
This was an action of replevin. The defendant avowed and t justified the taking. The jury found for the defendant as to part of the goods, and assessed the value at $10; and as to the residue for the plaintiff, and assessed the value of each residue at $100. The defendant claimed that he was entitled to full costs; whilst the plaintiff contended that he was entitled to no more costs than damages or the value of the goods found in his favor.
Overruled in Johnson v. Fellows, 6 Hill, 353.

Opinion:
By the Court.
By avowing and justifying the taking, the defendant assumed the attitude of a plaintiff, and of course is entitled to no more costs than damages.