Case Name: John M. Way vs. Samuel R. Townsend
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1862-01
Citations: 4 Allen 114
Docket Number: 
Parties: John M. Way vs. Samuel R. Townsend.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 86
Pages: 114–115

Head Matter:
John M. Way vs. Samuel R. Townsend.
No action lies against a magistrate to recover damages sustained by reason of his taking an invalid recognizance.
Tort against the justice of the police court of Taunton for discharging a debtor, who had been arrested on an execution in favor of the plaintiff and brought before the defendant for examination, upon the recognizance referred to in Townsend v. Way, 3 Allen, 245, which it was contended was invalid. In the superior court, a demurrer to the declaration was sustained, and the plaintiff appealed to this court.
T. H. Sweetser, for the plaintiff.
S. R. Townsend, pro se.

Opinion:
By the Court.
This case cannot be distinguished in principle from Chickering v. Robinson, 3 Cush. 543, and cases there referred to. Demurrer sustained.