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1 Va. 232

Byrd v. Cocke

Court of Appeals of Virginia

Decided October 15, 1793

Court of Appeals of Virginia · decided 1793-10-15

This was an action of debt brought by the appellee against the appellant as high sheriff, for levying an execution on the property of the plaintiff's tenant, without paying him an years rent, due at the time.

Decided 1793-10-15

The PRESIDENT

¶1delivered the opinion of the court.

¶2If the declaration could be supported, the court might get over the errors which precede and follow it, either by considering them, as cured by the verdict, or by awarding a repleader, from the first fault. But the declaration is certainly in debt, and tho’ after a verdict objections to the form of a declaration will be disregarded, yet we can find no authority, to justify a rejection of that part of it, as surplusage, which designates it a declaration in debt. As an action of debt, it is not sustainable under the act of Assembly, which does not impose a penalty upon the officer; and therefore, an action upon the case, for consequential damages, was most clearly the proper remedy.

¶3Both judgments must be reversed with costs. __

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