Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

74 N.C. 597

Wolfe v. Davis

Supreme Court of North Carolina

Decided January 15, 1876

Supreme Court of North Carolina · decided 1876-01-15

<p>An irregular judgment rendered at one term may be set aside at a subsequent term, independent of the provisions of the O. O. P.; but an erroneous judgment cannot be set aside at a subsequ nt term.</p> <p>An erroneous judgment is one rendered according to the course and practice of the court, but contrary to law. An irregular judgment is one rendered contrary to the course and practice of the courts, as a judgment without service of process.</p> <p>The power of amendment extends only so far as to make the record speak the truth; and the record cannot be so amended, as to show what ought to have been done, but only what was done.</p> <p>(Cowles, Adm’r., v. Hayes, 69 N. C, Hep 406, cited and approved.)</p>

Decided 1876-01-15

Reade, J.

¶1A judgment, however err/wem/e, rendered at one term, cannot be set aside at a subsequent term. But a judgment irregular, rendered at one term may be set aside at a subsequent term. (We are not speaking of the power under the Code of Civil Procedure to vacate a judgment within a year for mistake, &c., which is not applicable to our case.) An erroneous judgment is one rendered according to the course and practice of the courts, but contrary to law; as where it is for one party, when it ought to be for the other; or for two little, or too much. An irregular judgment is one contrary to the course and practice of the courts; as judgment without service of process.

¶2In our case, the judgment against the defendant at Fall Term, 1869, was irregular, because there stood his plea of “ fully administered” undisposed of. And therefore it may be set aside, Cowles v. Hayes. 69 N. C. Rep., 406. And his Honor erred in refusing to set it aside.

¶3In granting the motion of the plaintiff to amend the record of Fall Term, 1869, by entering a judgment- guarnió, mmo pro tune, his Honor seems to have been of the opinion that the ,power to amend, embraces something more than simply making the record speak the truth — not only what was done, but what ought to hove bam done. But that is error. And as there was not in fact any judgment gaomio rendered at Fall Term, 1869, it would be improper to make the record say that there was.

¶4There is error. This will be certified.

¶5Peb Cubiam. Judgment accordingly.

/74/nc/597 · .json · Public domain