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77 Mass. 205

Commonwealth v. Dexter

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

Decided October 15, 1858

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · decided 1858-10-15

<p>Scire facias on a recognizance taken under St. 1852, <?. 322, must be brought at the next term after default, although appointed by law for the transaction of civil business only.</p>

Decided 1858-10-15

Shaw, C. J.

¶1The St. of 1852, c. 322, § 12, which governs this case, requires that “ whenever a default shall be had upon any recognizance required under this act, scire facias shall be issued returnable at the next term.” It was held in Commonwealth v. Thompson, 2 Gray, 82, that the special remedy prescribed by the act must be followed in all suits on recognizances under the act, and that an action of contract on such a recognizance, returnable at a subsequent term, could not therefore be maintained. For the same reason scire facias must be brought at the first term after the default. Commonwealth v. Brown, 7 Gray, 319. The provision of the St. of 1855, c. 215, § 36, altering this law, is limited to suits on recognizances under that act, and does not affect this case.

¶2 Judgment for the defendant.

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