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19 Johns. 191

Foster v. Rhoads

New York Supreme Court

Decided August 15, 1821

New York Supreme Court · decided 1821-08-15

IN ERROR, to the Court of Common Pleas of the county of Queens. Foster, as supervisor of the town of Jamaica, brought an action of debt in the Court below against Rhoads, to recover the penalty of twelve dollars and fifty cents, for cutting sedge on the common lands of the town of Jamaica, contrary to a by-law made by the freeholders and inhabitants of that town.

Decided 1821-08-15

Per Curiam.

¶1We think the Court below, according to the bill of exceptions, erred; but we are clearly of opinion, on the whole record, that the defendant is entitled to judgment. The act relative to the duties and privileges of towns (sess. 36. ch. 25. s. 12.) does not authorise a penalty to be imposed by the town on any person, as a trespasser. The powers there given extend only to regulations for the enjoyment of their common lands, as between those who have a right to enjoy them.as commons. Here the declaration charges the defendant to be a trespasser; and the town meeting have voted a penalty against a stranger, (having no right, as they say,) for trespassing on their land. This cannot be the true construction of the statute. The legislature never in-, tended to delegate to any persons or body corporate the power of imposing penalties for injuries to their own lands by trespassers. If this be a trespass, the town must pursue the common law remedy for damages. The judgment of the Court below must, therefore, be affirmed.

¶2Judgment affirmed.

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