Court Opinion

ID: 9676130
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:15:40.575019+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:44.277960
License: Public Domain

MADDOX, Justice
(concurring specially).
I think trespass, trover and statutory detinue all proceed upon the theory of continued ownership in the injured party, and are not inconsistent remedies. Our statutory action of detinue does not provide for the recovery of punitive damages which may be awarded as a consequence of malicious acts attendant upon a wrongful seizure and dispossession of property. Cf. Wardman-Justice Motors v. Petrie, 39 F.2d 512 (D.D.C.1930); Annotation: “Judgment in replevin as bar to action by plaintiff for consequential damages for wrongful seizure or conversion of property,” 69 A.L.R. 655. In the common law action of replevin, along with the specific property, exemplary or punitive damages were recoverable. 69 A.L.R. 655.
I believe that Alabama’s statutory detinue action limits the damages to the “property sued for, or its alternate value, with damages for its detention to the time of trial.” Title 7, Section 921, Code of Alabama, 1940. Therefore, I do not think the plaintiff was required to make an election of remedies here.