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18 Mo. 477

Marsh v. Morse

Supreme Court of Missouri

Decided October 15, 1853

Supreme Court of Missouri · decided 1853-10-15

cftppeal from Jefferson Circuit Court. On the 23d of May, this cause having been called for trial in the court below, was continued at the instance of the plaintiff, on account of the absence of witnesses. On the next day, the plaintiff’s witnesses having arrived, he moved to have the continuance set aside, stating that he had notified the defendant of his intention to make the motion.

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently May 1894

2 state decisions

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1853-10-15

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Scott, Judge,

¶1delivered the opinion of the court.

¶21. There is no doubt that during the term of a court, at which any proceeding is had, the court may, for sufficient cause, vacate or set aside that proceeding. It is obvious that the vacating of a continuance and ordering a trial of the cause may produce surprise, and operate seriously to the prejudice of a party whose cause has been continued. A court would hardly be warranted in taking such a course without strong reasons ; when, for such reasons, it is done, a party should be served with an authentic copy of the order. It would be dangerous to trust to rumor or any other source of information than a service of the copy of the order, to affect a party with notice that the continuance has been set aside. He then could appear and show cause why a trial should not be had at that time. We cannot say that the trial of this case, under the circumstances, was warranted by a sound discretion.

Judge Eyland concurring, the judgment will be reversed, and the cause remanded ; Judge Gamble not sitting.
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