Court Opinion

ID: 9621175
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:52:42.200736+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:04:50.060824
License: Public Domain

On Motion For Rehearing.
1. It is contended that the judgment of the superior court refusing to sanction the writ of certiorari is correct, although the reason therefore might have been erroneous, and that a correct judgment will be sustained although the reason given therefor is erroneous. The motion to rehear sets out that the bond required under the provisions of Code § 19-214 is insufficient, in that the certified copy of the bond attached to and made a part thereof bears this certificate: “This is to certify that this is a true copy of the certiorari bond in case G-16620 (s) Forrest E. Johnson, Clerk, Recorder’s Court, City of Atlanta.” It is contended that this certified copy fails to show the following essential facts: (1) that it was in the amount fixed by the presiding judge; (2) that it was approved by the clerk of court; (3) that it was filed with the clerk of the court. As to the first contention, the face of the bond shows that it was approved by the judge, and we do not believe he would have approved the bond if it had not been in an amount fixed by him. As to the second contention, the face of the bond also shows that it was approved by the clerk of the court. As to the third contention, the petition for certiorari incorporated in the bill of exceptions, certified to by the judge of the superior court, alleges: “That he has executed and filed with the Clerk of the Municipal Court of Atlanta . . . the bond required by Georgia Code Section 19-206, a certified copy of which is attached hereto and marked 'Exhibit D’.” Code § 19-206 contains the requirements of law relating to such bonds. In Hubert v. City of Thomasville, 18 Ga. App. 756 (1a) (90 S. E. 720) it is held as follows: “The best way to show that a proper bond *591has been given is to attach to the petition a certified copy of the bond, with a certificate of approval by the proper officer, and allege affirmatively that the bond was given and approved as required by law.” The face of the bond contains the following: “Approved by Luke Arnold. Case No. G 16620 Bond No. 4. (s) Judge Luke Arnold,” and also: “Approved: (s) Forrest E. Johnson, Clerk, Recorder’s Court, City of Atlanta.” We think that the certificate of the clerk together with these approvals meet the statutory requirements as set out in Hubert v. City of Thomasville, supra, and that they, together with the affirmative statements in the petition for certiorari, affirmatively show that the bond was properly approved, accepted, and filed. We do not believe it can be sincerely contended that the bond can not and will not be forfeited in the event the defendant fails to comply with its provisions.
2. It is contended in the motion for rehearing that this court cannot properly pass on the constitutionality of the ordinance under which the petition for certiorari alleges the defendant was put on trial in the recorder’s court. The refusal of the judge of the superior court to sanction a writ of certiorari is a proper assignment of error. Paulk v. Hawkins, 106 Ga. 206 (32 S. E. 122). In passing on whether the superior court erred in such refusal, the properly pleaded allegations of the petition must be taken as true and applied to the assignments of error. Linder v. Benfroe, 1 Ga. App. 58 (1, 2) (57 S. E. 975); Green v. State, 4 Ga. App. 260 (2) (61 S. E. 234). Accordingly, error in refusing to sanction a petition for certiorari is tested in much the same way as error in sustaining a general demurrer to pleadings. This court cannot determine whether or not the superior court should have sanctioned the petition for certiorari except by an examination of the allegations of the petition seeking the writ; and the court is of the opinion, as hereinbefore set out, that the allegations of this petition, taken as true for the sole purpose of determining whether it should have been sanctioned, are sufficient to show error on the part of the judge of the superior court in his judgment of refusal to sanction the writ.