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11 Johns. 442

Beekman v. Wright

New York Supreme Court

Decided October 15, 1814

New York Supreme Court · decided 1814-10-15

IN ERROR, on certiorari, from a justice’s court. Wright sued Beekman, by summons; and after joining issue, on the 30th of March, 1812, the trial was adjourned, on application of the defendant below, until the 2d of May, 1812, upon giving security, &.C. The parties appeared again on the 2d of May, and upon proving due diligence in subpoenaing his witnesses, and making oath that a material witness, who had been subpoenaed, did not attend, the defendant moved for a second…

Decided 1814-10-15

Per Curiam.

¶1According to the decisions in Easton v. Coe, (2 Johns. Rep. 383.) Powers v. Lockwood, (9 Johns. Rep. 133.) and Hemstract v. Youngs, (9 Johns. Rep. 364.) it appears that upon giving security, and showing due diligence, and special^ canse, a defendant may be entitled to a second adjournment. The justice in this case denied the adjournment, merely on the ground that the defendant refused to pay costs.

¶2Whether a justice’s court has a right, in any case, to exact costs, upon granting a favour to a party, it is not now necessary to decide : but under the circumstances of this case, the justice had no right to annex such a condition, because the defendant, on good grounds, claimed it as a right.

¶3According to the cases of Van Doren v. Walker, (2 Caines' Rep. 373.) and Fink v. Hall, (5 Johns. Rep. 437.) there is a fatal error, in that it does not appear, by the return, that a constable was sworn to attend the jury.

¶4Further, it does not appear upon the merits, that the plaintiff below had a legal ground of action. The judgment ought to be reversed.

¶5Judgment reversed.

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