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11 Tenn. 281

State v. Sullivant

Tennessee Supreme Court

Decided March 15, 1832

Tennessee Supreme Court · decided 1832-03-15

If, in a criminal case, the recognizance be taken for the appearance of the defendant to answer the charge, upon a day when the court does not sit, the recognizance is void, and no judgment can be had thereon against the bail. This cause arose upon a motion to quash a scire facias issued from this court against the defendants, as bail of William Porter.

Decided 1832-03-15

Peck, J.

¶1delivered the opinion of the court.

¶2This recognizance" was taken, requiring the defendant to appear at a time when no court sat. His plea must be allowed. We have no power to enlarge the terms of the recognizance, as to fix for him a manner of compliance different from the undertaking. No doubt there was a mistake in the judge who took the recognizance, or he was not informed that the time of holding the court had been changed. The recognizance is void; there was no authority to bind him to appear at a time, when appearance could avail nothing.

¶3Motion allowed.

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