Case Name: Jacob Heist v. The People of the State of Illinois
Court: Illinois Appellate Court
Jurisdiction: Illinois
Decision Date: 1894-12-13
Citations: 56 Ill. App. 391
Docket Number: 
Parties: Jacob Heist v. The People of the State of Illinois.
Judges: 
Reporter: Illinois Appellate Court Reports
Volume: 56
Pages: 391–392

Head Matter:
Jacob Heist v. The People of the State of Illinois.
1. Costs—In Criminal Cases.—Where a defendant is tried upon a criminal charge and acquitted, he is absolved from the payment of all costs.
2. Same—Of Continuance in Criminal Cases.—Where a defendant in a criminal case shows a legal right to a continuance, in order to properly present bis defense, he can not be compelled to pay the costs of the term to obtain it.
Memorandum.—Error to reverse a judgment for costs rendered by the County Court of Iroquois County; the Hon. Moses H. Evans, Judge, presiding. Heard in this court at th 3 May term, 1894.
Judgment reversed.
Opinion filed December 13, 1894.
Morris & Hooper, attorneys for plaintiff in error.
W. F. Pierson, State’s Attorney, for the defendants in error.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Harker
delivered the opinion oethe Court.
Plaintiff in error, charged by indictment with the commission of a misdemeanor, at the May term, 1892, of the court below, moved for a continuance and supported his motion by affidavit. The court sustained the motion but continued the cause at his costs.
At the October term, following, a trial was had resulting in his acquittal. He now brings the record to this court "and asks a reversal of the judgment against him for the people's costs of the May term, 1892, amounting to $135.55.
Where a defendant, who is tried upon a criminal charge, is acquitted, he is absolved from the payment of all costs. Wells v. McCullock, 13 Ill. 606; McArthur v. Artz, 129 Ill. 352.
If he shows a legal right to a continuance in order to properly present his defense, he can not be compelled to pay the costs of the term to obtain it. Judgment reversed.