Case Name: N. Angell & Son v. Charles L. Bowler
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1854-09
Citations: 3 R.I. 77
Docket Number: 
Parties: N. Angell & Son v. Charles L. Bowler.
Judges: 
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports
Volume: 3
Pages: 77–78

Head Matter:
N. Angell & Son v. Charles L. Bowler.
An officer’s return upon a writ cannot he controverted incidentally hy motion, or plea, except in cases specially provided for by statute.
The writ in. this action waá' a writ of summons. The defendant appeared solely for the purpose of filing his motion to dismiss the action for want of service of the writ. He alleged that the service was pretendedly made by leaving an attested copy of the writ at his last and usual place of abode, and produced a copy of a writ in favor of the plaintiffs, returnable at the present term of the court, signed Amasa S. Westcott, Clerk. He denied the leaving of any other copy of any writ at his last and usual place 'of abode in favor of the plaintiffs. These facts were verified by affidavit.
The original writ on file in said action, is signed by Thomas S. Anthony, who was clerk at the time of the issuing of the same. The officer’s return on the back of the same was, that he summoned the defendant, by leaving a true and attested copy of the writ at his last and usual place of abode.
Currey and W. Saijles for plaintiff.
T. A. Jenclces for defendant.

Opinion:
Staples, C. J.
The officer's return is conclusive, and cannot be controverted incidentally by motion or plea, except in cases specially provided for by statute. Errors apparent on the record can be taken advantage of by motion as well as plea. But it never has been permitted for a defendant to falsify the record by his affidavit, and then take advantage of an error thus made apparent.
Motion overruled.