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45 S.C.L. 525

State v. Hatcher

Court of Appeals of South Carolina

Decided December 15, 1858

Court of Appeals of South Carolina · decided 1858-12-15

<p>Presumption — Lapse of Time— Verdict and Sentence.</p> <p>After tlie lapse of more than twenty years the Court will not set aside the verdict of guilty upon an indictment for misdemeanor, and the sentence indorsed upon the record, upon the ground that the defendant had not been arrested, nor had entered into recognizance In such case the law presumes omnia esse rite acta, especially if it appears that seven years after the trial and sentence, the defendant was served with sci.fa. guare executio non, made default, and that execution issued.</p>

Decided 1858-12-15

¶1*528Tbe opinion of tbe Court was delivered by

O’Neall, J.

¶2Tbe sentence in tbis case appears to have been pronounced more than twenty years ago. Tbe defendant had been tried and convicted of a misdemeanor at the same Court at which tbe sentence was pronounced. He alleges now, that be bad never been arrested, nor bad entered into a recognizance for bis appearance. '

¶3After such a lapse of time, it is in vain to say that neither tbe warrant, the certificate of arrest, nor tbe recognizance can be found: the law presumes omnia esse rite acta.

¶4But in addition to this, tbe defendant has been served with á scire facias guare executio non: made default, and thereupon execution issued for tbe collection of tbe fine. Tbis would be enough to prevent bis present motion from receiving any favor from tbe Court.

¶5In Sartell vs. Brailsford, 2 Bay, 333-8; after twelve years from final judgment tbe Court refused to set aside tbe proceedings and judgment, although tbe party alleged she was a feme covert at tbe execution of tbe bond on which tbe action was founded. That case founded on an alleged void instrument is certainly parallel to this, where, it is pretended tbe party was never arrested.

¶6Tbe motion is dismissed.

Wardlaw, Withers, Whither, Glover and Muhro, JJ., concurred.

¶7 Motion dismissed

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