Anderson v. Park

10 N.W. 310, 57 Iowa 69

• Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
• Decided: October 24, 1881
• Status: Published

Opinion

Adams, Ch. J.

1. justice oe THE PEACE; appeal. Section 4697 of the Code provides that “the justice rendering judgment against the defendant must inform him of his right to appeal therefrom, and make an entry on the docket of the giving of such information, and the defendant may thereupon take an appeal by giving notice orally to the justice that be appeals.”

The defendant having informed the plaintiff of his right to appeal, and the plainfiff having given the requisite notice, the appeal was taken. There was nothing which the justice could do or say about it which could deprive him of his appeal.

2.-; mement°°mpetition: sulllcieney of. But the taking of the appeal does not of itself operate to stay judgment. And in the case at bar it was the execution of the judgment which constitutes the real ground of the plaintiff’s complaint. If the defendant became liable it is because while acting m a ministerial capacity he did, or refused to do, something which resulted in the execution of the judgment.

The judgment was of course to be executed unless stayed. Now it appears to us that the petition does not show that the plaintiff ever took the steps necessary to stay the judgment. To stay the judgment it was necessary for the plaintiff to put in bail in the amount fixed for that purpose, and in a form according substantially with a form prescribed. Code, section 4698. The most that the petition shows is that the plaintiff “ offered security and bond for appeal.” It is possible that the plaintiff intended by the language used to aver that he tendered a bond, but it does not necessarily mean more than that he offered to give security by a bond. But if it were conceded that the petition shows that a bond was tendered, it does not show that it was not disapproved. Such might have been the fact and the allegations of the petition be true. It was certainly the duty of the defendant to pass upon the bond, and it does not follow from the fact that he thought that the plaintiff was not entitled to appeal and so declared that he did not pass upon the. bond. He thought at one time that the plaintiff was entitled to appeal and so informed him. If lie refused to pass upon the bond the petition should, we think, have so expressly declared. Whether in case he had so refused he would have been liable to the plaintiff in damages, and if so whether he would have been liable in more than nominal damages in the absence of any showing that the plaintiff made unsuccessful application to the other officers to whom he might as well have applied for the approval of his bond as to the defendant, we need not determine.

The plaintiff in his argument lays great stress upon the fact that the petition shows that the defendant acted maliciously in committing him. But if the plaintiff had not taken proper steps to stay the judgment, that is, if he had tendered no bond, or none except what the defendant disapproved as insufficient, it was right that he should be committed. And if the defendant acted legally in committing the plaintiff, a court will not inquire whether he committed him under the supposition that he was acting illegally. Where a judicial or other officer does no more than what the law requires him to do, it is immaterial so far as his legal liability is concerned in what state of mind he does it.

It appears to us that the petition does not show that the defendant did anything more than as justice of the peace he was empowered to do, except in refusing to allow an appeal after the appeal had been taken. By this refusal the plaintiff was not affected. He had his appeal. If the plaintiff took the proper steps to stay jugdment and failed solely through the defendant’s fault such fact is not shown. If judgment was stayed and plaintiff' was committed in defiance of the stay such faet is. not shown. The averment that the commitment was without probable cause must be taken to be a mere conclusion from the faet that the plaintiff gave notice of appeal and offered bond and security.

We think that the plaintiff’s petition is insufficient and that the court did not err in so holding.

Affirmed.