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1 Smith & H. 179

McGragor v. State

Indiana Supreme Court

Decided November 15, 1848

Indiana Supreme Court · decided 1848-11-15

This was an indictment for perjury. The indictment charged that on, &c., the defendant came before the clerk of the Madison Circuit Court, and made a certain affidavit in. writing, and therein did falsely, wilfully, and maliciously depose and swear that he, the defendant, was worth over and above all demands against him 3000 dollars in real estate, whereas, in truth and in fact, the said defendant, at the time he took said oath, was worth only the sum of 500 dollars in real…

Decided 1848-11-15

Per Curiam.

¶1— “ This evidence was objected to by the defendant, on the ground, that the case proved was one in which the clerk of the Circuit Court had no authority to administer the oath alleged to be false. We think this objection was well taken. The statute regulating the granting of injunctions, requires that the bonds to be given, shall be taken and approved by the court, judge, or judges, granting such injunctions. R. S. ch. 46, § 130-2-3. That part of the duty of the court or judge, cannot, therefore, be delegated to the clerk.

¶2“ But as the authority of clerks of the Circuit Courts to administer oaths, is given by statute, and limited to certain specified cases, we think the indictment is bad, as it does not show that the oath upon which it was founded, was one which the clerk was competent to administer. The general averment that the clerk had the competent power is insufficient. That is an inference of law to be drawn from the facts stated, and which, in this case, was not warranted.”

¶3Judgment reversed, &e.

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