Court Opinion

ID: 6722265
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 22:57:05.104525+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:34.678948
License: Public Domain

CHITTENDEN, J.
Epitomized Opinion
Woliner was arrested by a constable on a charge of violating the prohibition law by the illegal transportation of intoxicating liquor. He pleaded guilty to the charge before a justice of the peace, and'was fined. <
Thereafter the Motor Finance Co. filed with the Justice an intervening petition allegiiig it was the owner of a chattel mortgage upon the automobile which was seized, and upon which there was due the sum of $203.49, and asked that the possession of the car be surrendered to it. ' The Justice ordered the car sold and the proceeds distributed according to 6212-43 GC. The Finance Co. excepted and the Common Pleas affirmed the judgment. In reversing the judgment and remanding the cause the appeals court held: •
1. In a proceeding in error the reviewing court has no power to make findings of fact, its jurisdiction being confined to a consideration of record in the court below, which it may affirm, modify or reverse; therefore the finding of facts of the Common Pleas Court is not conclusive.
2. A chattel mortgagee is entitled to the possession of the mortgaged property where such possession is not reserved by the terms of the mortgage to the mortgagor, and under section 6212-43 of the General Code, possesses the interests of the general owner and is entitled to have its rights fully protected under this section of the law.
3. The record is clear that the evidence introduced establishes good cause why the automobile should not be ordered sold and the possession of it should have been surrendered to the Finance Company, as the chattel mortgage was valid and the company was innocent as to the use of the mortgaged property.
4. The fees taxed by the constable were exceedingly large, and the costs should be re-taxed.