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14 Ill. 38

Briley v. Copeland

Illinois Supreme Court

Decided November 15, 1852

Illinois Supreme Court · decided 1852-11-15

This case is stated in the opinion of the court. The cause was heard before Denning, Judge, at the June term, 1851, of the Massac Circuit Court.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently March 1937

1 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1852-11-15

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Teeat, C. J.

¶1The record shows that Briley brought an action on the case, before a justice of the peace, against Copeland, for non-feasance in office as constable. The damages were laid in the summons at $50. The trial resulted in a judgment in favor of Copeland. Briley prosecuted an appeal to the circuit court, where the suit was dismissed on the ground that the justice was without jurisdiction. The 17th sect, ch. 59, R. S., declares that justices of the peace shall have jurisdiction, “in all actions against sheriffs, coroners, and constables, for malfeasance, misfeasance, or non-feasance in office, wherein the amount claimed does not exceed one hundred dollars.” The justice clearly had jurisdiction of the case, and the circuit court consequently erred in dismissing it. The remedy given by sect. 118, ch. 59, R. S., is but cumulative. A party may, at his election, sue the constable directly, or bring an action against him and his sureties on his official bond.

¶2The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded.

¶3Judgment reversed.

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