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4 S.C.L. 259

Armstrong v. Campbell

Supreme Court of South Carolina

Decided November 15, 1808

Supreme Court of South Carolina · decided 1808-11-15

Trespass on the case, tried in Laurens district, before Brevard, J. The defendant was charged with ig. iterance, and neglect in his duty as justice of peace, under the es-tray act, in consequence of which, the plaintiff sustained an injury; It appeared in evidence, at the trial, that an estray horse was taken up, and brought before the defendant, as a justice of peace; that the defendant caused the horse to be appraised by two persons only, and not on oath.

Decided 1808-11-15

Waties, J.,

¶1declared the opinion oí the court, that this was not a case which would excuse the magistrate, who had neglected to follow the plain directions of the act. That he could not shelter himself under his judicial character, from the consequences re-suiting from such gross neglect. That in performing the duties enjoined by the act, the magistrate acts in a two fold capacity. I. In a ministerial capacity, as it relates to the appraisement and trans. mission of the duplicate; for in regard to this he has only to follow the literal directions of the act. 2. In a judicial capacity, as respects other matters, where he must, from necessity, exercise his discretion.

¶2New trial granted.

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