Court Opinion

ID: 3374389
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-05 18:17:46.485056+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:47:44.367020
License: Public Domain

This was an action against a constable for neglecting to return an execution at the suit of Bailey against James Spencer, delivered to him to be executed. The plaintiff declared in debt on the statute and the deft, demurred generally and specially. Dig. 341,sec. 18.
The court sustained the demurrer on the authority of Humphries
vs. Webster, ante 34.
The remedy is by action on the case founded on the neglect of duty and consequent statutory liability. Perhaps debt on the statute would lie. Chitty says whenever a statute imposes a penalty, debt will lie.Quere. — Is not this a penalty?
                                                 Judgment for demurrant.
Note. This was before the supplement (8 vol. 265,) which gives jurisdiction to the justices of the peace.