Case Name: White v. Cummings
Court: New York Superior Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1851-01-25
Citations: 3 Sandf. 716
Docket Number: 
Parties: White v. Cummings.
Judges: 
Reporter: Reports of cases argued and determined in the Superior Court of the city of New York
Volume: 5
Pages: 716–717

Head Matter:
White v. Cummings.
Where there are allegations in the complaint, an answer to which, on oath, might subject the defendant to a criminal prosecution, the defendant may put in a sworn answer stating that fact, and answering the residue of the complaint in the usual manner. Such an answer will put in issue the allegations so excepted.
After retaining a pleading nineteen days, the party served cannot return it on the ground that it is irregular or defective.
On returning a pleading as defective, e. g. for not being verified, the party served with it must point out the defect to the adverse party.
January 25, 1851.
TW. complaint, setting forth a libel, was verified by oath. The defendant’s attorney served an answer; which was not veri fled. The plaintiff’s attorney kept it nineteen days, and then returned it, with a message that the answer was defective and would not be received, but without pointing out the defect. Thereupon, the time for answering having expired, the plaintiff applied at the special term for judgment as on a failure to answer.

Opinion:
Oakley, Ch. J. (with the concurrence of Sandford and Paine, Justices.)
The application is opposed on two grounds, the practice in respect of both of which is virtually settled, but we deem it well to mention it again. 1. It is objected, that the nature of the libel is such, that the defendant ought not to be required to answer on oath, because the matters to be stated might subject him to a criminal prosecution. 2. That the plaintiff kept the answer so long, he cannot treat it as a nullity; and moreover, he has no right to return it, unless he pointed out the defect.
The objections are all well taken. As to the first, the rule was adopted and the practice correctly laid down in Hill v. Muller, 2 Sand. 684. The defendant need not admit or deny the allegations, which he will state in his answer on oath, he might subject himself to a criminal prosecution by answering. This statement will put in issue such allegations. As to the residue of the complaint, he will answer in the usual manner. 2. The plaintiff, by keeping the answer so long, was barred from objecting to its form. And on returning it, if it had been in time, he was bound to point out the nature of the alleged defect. It was so held in Laimbeer v. Allen, 2 Sand. 648. The practice pursued by the plaintiff was not reasonable, and we are not disposed to sustain it. The defendant is at liberty to answer in the mode before mentioned.
Application denied.