Case Name: Ambler v. Church
Court: Connecticut Superior Court
Jurisdiction: Connecticut
Decision Date: 1790-08
Citations: 1 Root 211
Docket Number: 
Parties: Ambler v. Church.
Judges: 
Reporter: Connecticut Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 211–212

Head Matter:
Ambler v. Church.
Action doth not lie against a justice for error in judgment.
Eebob to reverse a judgment of the County Court, in an action brought by Church against Ambler for a misfeasance in his office of justice of the peace; declaring that he brought an action on book against Brooks and Brace before bim; that the plaintiff appeared by his attorney Griffin, on the day of the court, and at the time set in the writ; and moved that said action should he called, which said justice refused to do, etc.
Plea in bar -— That said writ was an attachment, and had been served on one of the defendants only, by attaching bis body and committing him, to Litchfield gaol, where he was then confined; and no person appeared for the plaintiff, but
Griffin, who showed no power from the plaintiff, to appear for him.
Plaintiff replied — That said Griffin had an ample power from him to appear in said cause, and that he showed it to said justice, before he moved to have said action called. Upon this fact the parties joined issue to the court; and a demurrer was given to the rest of the plea. The County Court found both issues of fact, and of law, in favor of Church, and gave judgment for £4 damages, etc.
The common error assigned.
Judgment — Manifest error.

Opinion:
By the Court.
The justice is not liable in damages for not calling said action at the time, and rendering judgment under the circumstances. There is no pretense of partiality or corruption, and even if the justice erred in judgment it ought not to mahe him liable.