Court Opinion

ID: 6413764
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 11:54:36.702827+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:51:27.920505
License: Public Domain

Hoar, J.
In order to tax the fees of witnesses for travel and attendance in any case, it must appear that their attendance was reasonably and in good faith procured by the party making the taxation ; and that they were paid, or actually attended, so as to be entitled to their fees, in the case in question. The certificates required by the statute are competent prima facie evidence for the allowance of the amount certified, but are not conclusive. The court must determine whether the certificates are true, or fraudulent or mistaken, if their correctness is disputed ; and may decide upon the reasonableness of the conduct of the party as to the number of witnesses, and the length of their attendance, in order to secure good faith, and prevent oppression or reckless expense.
The case at bar shows that the plaintiff was the prevailing party in a large number of actions for an assault and battery. The same witnesses were relied on to support all the actions. They were summoned and paid in only one case. There is no evidence that they were requested to attend, or did actually attend, in any other case ; or that there was any agreement, express or implied, between them and the plaintiff, by which they were entitled to fees in any other case, or that they have expected or now expect to receive further compensation, except the certificates on file and signed by them. But it appears that these certificates were signed in blank by the witnesses, and delivered in that condition to the plaintiff or his attorneys, by whom they were filled up with a statement of an amount of travel and attendance, which we think the presiding justice in *516the superior court was entirely justified in regarding as fictitious and imaginary. At all events, he was not satisfied with the evidence, and this court can see no cause to question his decision.

Taxation affirmed.