Case Name: The People vs. Charles E. Cantine
Court: Macomb County Circuit Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1870-01
Citations: 1 Mich. N.P. R. 140
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People vs. Charles E. Cantine.
Judges: 
Reporter: The Michigan Nisi Prius Reports
Volume: 1
Pages: 140–140

Head Matter:
The People vs. Charles E. Cantine.
1, A proBecution for bastardy, undtr the Statute, is not a criminal proceeding,
2. A preponderance of evidence,-in such a case, is all that is requisite in order to convict,
Macomb Circuit,
January, 1870.
This was a prosecution for bastardy, under the Statute.
After the testimony of prosecution was closed, the defendant was offered to be sworn as a witness on his own behalf.

Opinion:
Mitchell J.,
held that it was not a criminal proceeding, and that the respondent might be sworn the same as in civil cases.
On a motion for a new trial this rule was confirmed and a new trial refused, because there was sufficient evidence for 2>rosecution if uncontradicted, and that though fully contradicted the jury had a right to weigh the evidence and give their verdict upon a preponderance, and the Court would not interpos» its judgment as to preponderance.