State v. Dow

Decided March 3, 1902

Supreme Court of Vermont · decided 1902-03-03

Indictment for perjury. Heard on respondent’s demurrer, at the September Term, 1901, Washington County, Munson, J., presiding. Demurrer overruled and indictment adjudged sufficient. The respondent excepted. The indictment does not allege that the law requires the proof to be under oath. This omission is fatal. State v. Rowell, 70 Vt. 405; State v. Bstabrooks, 70 Vt. 412; 16 Ency. PI. & P'r.. 323-4. The oath set out in the indictment is an idle performance. A notary public has no authority to administer it. 2 Whart. Crim. Law, §§'1256-7, 1269; Rambert v. People, 76 N. Y. 220. Perjury can be predicated only upon an oath required by law. V. S. 5079, 5080. The indictment contains all the elements of the crime. It is drawn in compliance with Form 50, V. S. 5417. An indictment is sufficient if the respondent is informed with reasonable certainty of the cause and nature of the accusation against him. State v. Camley, 67 Vt. 324. The oath is authorized by V. S. 5080. State v. Smith, 63 Vt. 208.

Relies on State v. Rowell · State v. Estabrooks

Decided 1902-03-03

Watson, J.

¶1The respondent is indicted for perjury-under Laws of 1900, No. 64, in knowingly swearing to a false statement made in a proof of loss to a fire insurance company, with intent to defraud. The case is here on demurrer to the indictment, which contains two1 counts.

¶2This act contemplates that at the time the loss occurred there was an insurance policy under which the proof of loss containing the false statement sworn to is being made. Without such policy there can be no crime.

¶3Neither count contains any averment of that fact; nor does either count contain an averment that the proof of loss sworn to was one required by law to be under oath. For want of such averments, the indictment is insufficient. State v. Rowell, 70 Vt. 405, 41 Atl. 430; State v. Estabrooks, 70 Vt. 412, 41 Atl. 499.

¶4 Judgment reversed, demurrer sustained, indictment adjudged insufficient, and quashed.