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23 S.C.L. 295

State v. Everett

Court of Appeals of South Carolina

Decided February 15, 1838

Court of Appeals of South Carolina · decided 1838-02-15

<p>The protection intended by the habeas corpus Act, against unlawful confinement, goes no farther than the enlargement of the prisoner on bail, if the offence is bailable in its nature.</p> <p>Independently of this Act, a Judge at Chambers may let to bail for any offence whatever; and in making up his judgment in the case, may look beyond the warrant of commitment.</p> <p>Where the warrant contains a specific charge of an offence not bailable, the prisoner cannot be discharged under the habeas corpus Act, either on bail or otherwise.</p> <p>A warrant need not contain a statement of facts on which the charge is founded; it is only necessary that the nature of the crime be clearly specified.</p>

Decided 1838-02-15

¶1By Daniel Horlbeck, one of the justices of the quorum, in and for the district aforesaid.

¶2To any lawful constable, and to the keeper of the common goal, in the said district.

¶3These are to require you forthwith to convey and deliver into the custody of the keeper of the said goal, the body of James E. Everett, charged before A. H. Brown, on the oath of A. Gibson, from circumstances, with larceny of bank bills of the Union Bank of Florida, valued at about seventy dollars; there being other-bills lost, and one $50, and one $20 bill, being found on the person of said James E. Everett. And you, the said keeper, are hereby required to receive the said James E. Everett into your custody, in the said goal, and him there safely to keep.

¶4Given under my band and seal, at Charleston, this twenty-first day of July, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven, and in the sixty-second year of American Independence.

¶5Daniel Horlbeck, Q. U., [l. s.]

¶6Acting for A. H. Brown.

¶7*296The counsel for the defendant moved for bis discharge, on the ground, that the warrant contained no direct and certain charge of a felony, or any other offence, but was altogether loose, and founded, according to the warrant itself, on loose circumstances.

¶8The attorney general contended that the warrant contained a charge of larceny, sufficiently direct and certain; but that even if it were defective, the Court was bound to commit the defendant, if sufficient evidence could be produced against him to warrant his being put upon-his trial: and he produced a considerable number of affidavits, upon which it appeared that the warrant had been issued.

¶9His Honor did not think there was any thing in the affidavits which would warrant his depriving a citizen of his liberty, and being satisfied as to - the insufficiency of the warrant, he ordered the prisoner to be discharged.

¶10A motion was then made on behalf of the defendant, that as the prosecution against him was at an end, the money taken from him should be returned. The attorney-general opposed the motion, on the ground, that the prosecution was not at an end, and that he should feel it his duty to submit the case to a grand jury. The "motion was granted.

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