Case Name: Stephen D. Roberts, Plaintiff in Error, vs. The State of Florida, Defendant in Error
Court: Florida Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 1891-01
Citations: 27 Fla. 244
Docket Number: 
Parties: Stephen D. Roberts, Plaintiff in Error, vs. The State of Florida, Defendant in Error.
Judges: 
Reporter: Florida Reports
Volume: 27
Pages: 244–245

Head Matter:
Stephen D. Roberts, Plaintiff in Error, vs. The State of Florida, Defendant in Error.
Where a writ of habeas corpus is issued by a Justice of the Supreme Court returnable before a Circuit Judge, and the Judge transfers the case to another Circuit for trial, merely stating that lie is “disqualified to hear and determine ” it, no jurisdiction is conferred upon the Judge of the latter Circuit, even if the case is transferable. It is necessary that the cause of disqualification shall appear in the record in .order to confer jurisdiction wherever a causo is transferable.
Writ of Error to the Circut Court for Leon county.
The facts of the case are stated in the opinion.
L. Harrison, A. J. I fairy for Plaintiff in Error.
The Attorney-(holered for Defendant in Error.

Opinion:
Raney, C. J.:
A wilt- of habeas corpvs was granted on petition of the plaintiff in error by one of the Justices of this court, and under Sec. 5 of Article Y of the Constitution, made returnable before the Hon. John If. White, Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, arid he made an order transferring it to. Leon county in the Second Judicial Circuit, to be heard by the Judge of that Circuit. The latter Judge has made an order remanding the petitioner to the custody in which he was when the writ was issued. The Judge of the Third Circuit has failed to state tlie ground oí his disqualification, and the record does not otherwise show it. He merely states that he is "disqualified to hear and determine" the cause. This is not sufficient. The cause of disqualification must appear in the record. Williams vs. Robles, 22 Fla., 95; Swepson vs. Call and Baker, 13 Fla., 337:
If this cause is one transferable under the statute, the proceedings are for the reason stated imperfect, and do not confer jurisdiction on the Judge of the Second Circuit. There are doubts in our minds that it is, but we cannot pass on the question now.
The judgment of the Judge of the Second Circuit must be reversed and set aside for want of jurisdiction, and the canse remanded for farther proceedings by the Judge of tlie Third Circuit in accordance with this opinion and the law obtaining in such cases. It will be so ordered.