Case Name: State, Appellant, vs. Hartwig, Respondent
Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Wisconsin
Decision Date: 1950-10-03
Citations: 257 Wis. 542
Docket Number: 
Parties: State, Appellant, vs. Hartwig, Respondent.
Judges: Gehl, J., took no part.
Reporter: Wisconsin Reports
Volume: 257
Pages: 542–544

Head Matter:
State, Appellant, vs. Hartwig, Respondent.
September 8
October 3, 1950.
For the appellant there was a brief by the Attorney General, Roy G. T'ulane, assistant attorney general, and Clarence G. Traeger, district attorney of Dodge county, and oral argument by Stewart G. Honeck, deputy attorney general.
For the respondent there was a brief by Thiel & Allan of Mayville, and oral argument by Lloyd Allan.

Opinion:
Brown, J.
It is necessary to consider only one of the assignments of error which the writ of certiorari brought before the circuit court and the appeal brings before us. A summary of the entries made by the justice of his docket shows the following proceedings:
April 2, 1949 — Warrant issued and served; defendant appeared and pleaded not guilty. Case continued to April 18, 1949, at 2 :00 p.m. for trial.
April 18, 1949 — Trial. Case continued to April 20, 1949, at 4:30 p.m. at the Clark farm for a view of the premises. Stipulated that the parties and attorney need not be in court when decision is reached. Stipulated that the attorneys may submit statements of fact to the court.
April 20, 1949 — The court and the attorneys viewed the premises.
April 28, 1949 — The court finds the defendant guilty and imposes sentence.
At the time of these proceedings, and until July 1, 1950, the following statute was in force: Sec. 360.06 "On the return of the warrant with the accused the said justice shall proceed to hear, try, and determine the cause within one day unless continued for cause; . . ." Construing this statute we early held that the justice's jurisdiction does not survive the day unless he has continued the case for cause. Hepler v. State (1878), 43 Wis. 479; Harrington v. State (1880), 50 Wis. 68. 6 N. W. 317. The docket here shows that there was no continuance beyond April--20th. Jurisdiction therefore expired with the close of that day and when, on-April 28th, the justice determined guilt and- sentenced the defendant he no longer- had- jurisdiction to do so.- His judgment and sentence aré void and the judgment of the learned circuit court declaring them so must be affirmed.
By the Coiirt. — Judgment affirmed.
Gehl, J., took no part.