Court Opinion

ID: 9848250
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:15:21.618131+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:09.763209
License: Public Domain

Evans, Judge,
dissenting. The trial judge in this case certifies: "At the close of the evidence for both sides, the court directed a verdict for plaintiff and submitted damages, vel non, for determination by the jury.” Despite this direction, he allowed the jury to return a verdict for the defendant, and entered a judgment against plaintiff for costs of court.
The plaintiffs suit prayed for a general judgment for $2,400.66 for breach of contract. Code § 20-1409 provides: "In every case of breach of contract, the other party has a right to damages; but if there has been no actual damage, the plaintiff can recover nominal damages which will carry the costs.” Thus, without proof of any damages whatever, under the trial court’s direction, plaintiff was entitled to recover "nominal damages which will carry the costs.” The jury had no right whatever to disobey the instructions of the trial judge, and upon returning a verdict for the defendant — contrary to his instructions — he should have refused to accept the verdict, and should have instructed the jury to return a verdict for plaintiff for one dollar, or such other nominal sum as he or they felt proper and should have entered judgment for costs against defendant.
It is always the right and duty of the trial court to refuse to accept an illegal verdict, and to require the jury to correct same. Blalock v. Waldrup, 84 Ga. 145 (2) (10 SE 622); Kersey v. State, 207 Ga. 326 (1) (61 SE2d 493).
In 88 CJS 719, Trial, § 262, it is stated: "It is obligatory on the jury to return the verdict directed by the court; they are not at liberty to refuse obedience. When a peremptory instruction is given, the jury may be compelled over their protest to return a verdict in accordance therewith. The refusal of a juror to obey the *95instruction subjects him and those who encourage him to punishment for contempt, but the power of the court is not limited to the discharge of the jury and the punishment of jurors . . . according to more numerous authorities the court may, in case of the jury’s refusal to find as directed, direct the entry of a verdict without their assent. . .” No brief of evidence or transcript of the proceedings has been brought to this court. The only proper judgment of the court is to reverse and remand, with instructions to the trial court to enter a judgment for plaintiff.
I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion which affirms the trial court in allowing this illegal verdict to stand with costs of court cast against plaintiff.
I am authorized to state that Judge Deen concurs in this dissent.