Case Name: THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, RESPONDENT, v. LEWIS R. HOGAN, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
Court: Supreme Court of New Jersey
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1949-02-14
Citations: 1 N.J. 375
Docket Number: 
Parties: THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, RESPONDENT, v. LEWIS R. HOGAN, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 375–377

Head Matter:
THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, RESPONDENT, v. LEWIS R. HOGAN, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Argued January 3, 1949
Decided February 14, 1949.
Mr. Harry Green argued the cause for the defendant-appellant (Mr. Philip L. Lipman, attorney).
Mr. Joseph B. Perskie, Deputy Attorney General, argued the cause for the respondent.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
We are in accord with the opinion of Mr. Justice Burling, speaking for the former Supreme Court, with this qualification. With respect to the introduction of neutralization testimony the opinion states "The control of this examination is within the discretion of the trial court," citing State v. D'Adame, 84 N. J. L. 386 (E. & A. 1913); State v. Kysilka, 85 N. J. L. 712 (E. & A. 1913) and State v. Guida, 118 N. J. L. 289 (Sup. Ct. 1937), aff'd 119 N. J. L. 464 (E. & A. 1937).
While the admission and extent of neutralization testimony is discretionary with the court such discretion is not of an arbitrary or absolute character but a legal discretion. It relates to the question of whether, under the particular facts and circumstances of the case, justice requires that the evidence be admitted. As said by Lord Mansfield legal discretion means "sound discretion, guided by law," and not by whim or humor. LaBell v. Quasdorf, 116 N. J. L. 368 (Sup. Ct. 1936).
The judgment of the former Supreme Court is affirmed.
For affirmance: Chief Justice Vanderbilt and Justices He-her, Oliphant and Ackerson—4.
For reversal: Justice Wacheneeld—1.