Case Name: Beaird v. The United States
Court: Supreme Court of Indiana
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Decision Date: 1854-06-08
Citations: 5 Ind. 220
Docket Number: 
Parties: Beaird v. The United States.
Judges: 
Reporter: Indiana Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 220–220

Head Matter:
Beaird v. The United States.
Where the record, in a cause commenced before a justice of the peace, does not disclose a cause of action, it will be presumed on error that none was filed.
A trial without an issue is erroneous.
ERROR to the Fayette Circuit Court.
Thursday, June 8.
J. A. Fay, for the plaintiff.
S. W. Parker, for the defendant.

Opinion:
Davison, J.
The United States of America sued Beaird, late post-master at Brownsville, Indiana, before a justice of the peace, and obtained a judgment. Beaird appealed. In the Circuit Court, judgment was rendered for the plaintiff below.
The record before us does not disclose the cause of action, and we must presume that none was filed. There being no cause of action on file, there could be no issue in the case; and a trial without an issue is erroneous. Bell v. Trotter, 4 Blackf. 12.—Denby v. Hart, id. 13.—Wilbridge v. Case, 2 Ind. 36.
Per Curiam. — The judgment is reversed with costs. Cause remanded, &c. -