Case Name: HOFFMAN against READING
Court: New Jersey Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1809-09
Citations: 3 N.J.L. 561
Docket Number: 
Parties: [*] HOFFMAN against READING.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Law Reports
Volume: 3
Pages: 148–148

Head Matter:
[*] HOFFMAN against READING.
On CERTIORARI.
Defendant cannot by unverified charge over $100, oust a justice of jurisdiction.
The objection raised to the proceeding below, was, that the defendant below, Reading, by his plea, had set up a demand against the plaintiff below, Hoffman, a demand exceeding the justice’s jurisdiction, and thereby ousted the justice of the jurisdiction of the cause. That the justice, notwithstanding this plea, proceeded in the cause.

Opinion:
By the Court.
The defendant cannot oust the justice of the jurisdiction of the cause, by an unverified plea of this nature; if he could, there would be an end to trials in justice's courts. Besides, in this case, there is less ground for the objection, as after the plea was filed, the cause was referred to referees. This must have been done by consent.
Judgment reversed.