Case Name: UNITED STATES v. JOURDINE et al.
Court: United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1833-09
Citations: 26 F. Cas. 666
Docket Number: 
Parties: UNITED STATES v. JOURDINE et al.
Judges: (MORSELL, Circuit Judge, contra)
Reporter: Federal Cases
Volume: 26
Pages: 666–666

Head Matter:
Case No. 16,499.
UNITED STATES v. JOURDINE et al.
14 Cranch, C. C. 338.]
Circuit Court, District of Columbia,
Sept. Term, 1833.
Disorderly House — Evidence of General Refutation.
Upon an indictment for keeping a disorderly house and for keeping a bawdy house, the United States cannot give evidence of the general reputation of the house, nor of the general reputation of the defendants.
I Followinl in U. S. v. Nailor. Case No. 15,-853. J
I Cited in Handy y. State. (¡3 Hiss. 207; Henson t. State. 02 kid. 235.]
The indictment [against Harriet and Hen-riette Jourdine] had two counts: (1) For keeping a disorderly house. (2) For keeping a bawdy house.
•THE COURT (MORSFDD. Circuit Judge, contra] decided that the general reputation of the house could not be given in evidence by the attorney of the United States; THRUS-TON, Circuit Judge, having changed his opinion since the case of U. S. v. Gray [Case No. 15,251], at May term. 1826.
Mr. Key. for the United States,
then offered evidence of the general character of the defendants, who resided in the house, and were the keepers thereof.
Brent & Brice, for the defendants,
objected, that as a bawdy house is defined to be a house of ill fame, kept for the resort and commerce of lewd people of both sexes, the character of the keepers is not material. 1 Jac. Diet. tit. “Bawdy House.”

Opinion:
THE COURT
(MORSELL, Circuit Judge, contra)
rejected the evidence.
The defendants were found guilty upon the first count only, and were fined $20, and required to give security in $200 for their good behavior for twelve months, and to stand committed until, etc.