Case Name: Geyger versus Stoy
Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
Decision Date: 1785-09
Citations: 1 Dall. 135
Docket Number: 
Parties: Geyger versus Stoy.
Judges: 
Reporter: Dallas
Volume: 1
Pages: 135–135

Head Matter:
Geyger versus Stoy.
THE defendant was brought before the Court on a Hab. Corp. and the return stated, that he was commited in execution by the warrant of a Justice of the peace for a debt of £10, 6, 3.
Sergeant
moved that he should be discharged, on this principle, that although the errors of a Justice, while he keeps within his jurisdiction, are binding, ’till his judgment is reversed; yet where he exceeds his jurisdiction, all his acts are, in themselves, merely null and void.

Opinion:
By the Court.
—It appearing upon the face of the record, that the justice has exceeded his jurisdiction, by giving judgment, and issuing an execution, for a greater sum than ten pounds, we cannot but consider the whole as a nullity; and, for that reason alone, discharge the defendant.