Burlingame v. Burlingame

8 Cow. 141

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: February 15, 1828
• Status: Published

Opinion

Curia, per Woodworth, J.

On the count for a malicious prosecution, I think the action cannot be sustained. We cannot say there was a want of probable cause, although it may satisfactorily appear that the defendant, owing to defective sight, advanced age and bodily infirmity, was mistaken. There is no sufficient reason for believing that he was not persuaded of the truth of the facts related by him under oath; and though the plaintiff was acquitted, it is possible the defendant may have been correct. At any rate, his statement may be considered as probable cause.

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*The counts for slander were supported, Laying aside all the defendant said on his applications, and his communications respecting the commencement of a criminal pro secution, there was evidence sufficient to maintain the action. Before the prosecution was instituted, the defendant made the charge to Anderson Crandall. That does not appear to have been in the way of consultation. . The de fendant merely said he should want Crandall, who was a constable, to serve the process ; but it was not deliver* ed to Mm. If, by adding such a remark, the defendant is to be protected in speaking the slanderous words,.! apprehend it would introduce-a principle not heretofore recognized by the law. He also uttered the slander after 1 acquittal. He did this at his peril. If A. prefers a eri inal charge against B., on oath, and B. is acquitted, a«.„ afterwards A. reiterate the charge, he has no privilege beyond that of any other person who utters a slander. He is bound to justify, or abide the consequences. After an acquittal, it would seem to be manifestly unjust to permit an accuser t > repeat the same slander with impunity, Silence on his part should be observed, unless he be willing to assume proof that his words are true. Whether the words were uttered in the hearing of persons who attended the trial, or of others who were absent, does not, in my view, make any difference. Though made to the former, it is certainly calculated to injure. If there be any difference, it is only in degree. It is an attempt to fix guilt on the accused after he has been legally declared innocent. The bearer who may have retired from the trial undre favorable impressions towards the accused, is still liable to be operated on by an accuser, who persists in the charge, and goes into a detail of circumstances to impress its truth on the mind, The law does not afford any special protection in such cases.

The non-suit must be set aside, and a new trial granted, with costs to abide the event of the suit.

Buie accordingly.

Although the law naturally inclines to favor those who exert themselves to give effect to its criminal provisions, it will not allow its forms to be made the engine of oppressing the innocent without giving them an opportunity of redress. 1 Chit. Cr. L., 10; 3 Bla. C. 126, n. 14. And, therefore, to restrain the savage spirit with which appeals were anciently prosecuted, the 13 Edw. 1, c. 12, directed, that if the appellee were acquitted, the appellor should suffer a year’s imprisonment and pay a fine to the king, besides the satisfaction to the party whose life he, by the prosecution, attempted to destroy; and if the appellor were incapable of paying it, his abettors should be liable to do it for him, and to suffer imprisonment in their own persons. 4 Bla. Com. 316.

These severe penalties, and the restitution of goods being given on an in. dietment, soon rendered this proceeding rather a matter of curiosity than of practice. Ib.

The ancient remedy, for the malicious prosecution of an indictment, was either a writ of conspiracy or an action on the easXin the nature of a conspiracy, or an indictment, when several parties united in the evil design, 1 Saund. 230, n. 4; Cro, Car. 239; Cro. Eliz. 701; 2 Sel. N. P. 1053. And, at the present day, the latter proceeding is sometimes resorted to, where the circumstances are of a very dark coloring. 2 Burr. 993; 1 Bla. Rep. 368; 4 Wentw. 96; Staundf. P. C., b. 2, ch. 23. But an action on the case (see Clark v. Haines, 2 Rand. 440,) for a malicious prosecution, is now the more usual, as it is the easier and more effectual remedy. 2 Sel. N. P. 1050. Over the old writ of conspiracy it has great advantages; for the latter could only be brought where the life of the plaintiff had been in danger, (1 Saund. 230, n. 4; Fitz. N. B. 116; 1 Ld. Raym. 379,) and where he had been ‘’lawfully Acquitted,” which intended such a discharge as would be a good bar to any subsequent proceeding; (Bro. Abr. Conspiracy, 23; Gilb. Cas. L. & E, 199 ; 1 Sel. N. P. 1054;) but the modern remedy by action on the case, lies whenever there has been a malicious prosecution of any criminal charge without probable cause, and which has oceasioned any damage to the person, character, or property of the plaintiff 10 Mod. 148, 214; 12 Mod. 208; Gilb. Cas. L. & E. 185, 202; see precedent and notes, 2 Chit. PI, 612, 4th ed. So it lies where the indictment has been thrown out by the grand jury, (2 Rol. Rep. 188; Cro. Jac. 490,) where it has been preferred before an improper tribunal, (1 Rol. Abr. 112,) and where the discharge has arisen from a defect in the proceedings. 4 T. R. 247; 2 Sel. N. P. 1055. Besides, the writ of conspiracy could only he granted where more than one was accused of conspiring, (Fitz. N. B. 116; 1 Saund. 230, n. a.; Carth. 417,) and all the old cases of malicious prosecution called writs of conspiracy, (see Cro. Car. 239; Cro. Eliz. 701,) are no more than mere actions on the case which were always valid against one alone. Fitz. N. B. 116; Carth. 417; 1 Saund. 230, a. In the action for a malicious prosecution, the damage sustained by the plaintiff is the ground of the proceeding, and not any secret motives by which the guilt of the defendant may be increased, (Carth. 416; Bul. N. P. 14,) and,' therefore, though the words “per conspvratíonem per eos per habitant’’’ be introduced, they will be mere surplusage, and can in no way affect the right of the party injured to recover. 1 Saund. 230, n. a. Thus, where these words are inserted in a declaration against two persons, and one of them only appears, proceedings may be carried on against one alone, Bro. Ab. Conspiracy, 38; 1 Ld. Raym. 397. So if all the defendants are acquitted but one, he may be found guilty, and judgment given against him. 2 Inst. 562; Cro. Car. 236; Sir Wm. Jones, 94; 1 Rol. Abr. 111, 112; 2 Show, 50 6 Mod. 169; 1 Saund. 230, n. a.

It seems to have been formerly thought that no action could be maintained where the acquittal arose from some technical objection, and no guilt wag imputed by the indictment, nor any imprisonment endured; but it is now settled that, in such case, the mere fact of the plaintiff’s having been put to expense by the proceedings is a sufficient ground to entitle him to redress. 1 Ld. Raym. 314; Carth. 416; 2 Stra. 691; 1 Salk. 13; 4 T. R. 241; Gilb. Cas. L. & E. 185 ; 10 Mod. 148, 214. And an action lies for the malicious prosecution of a bad indictment for perjury. 5 B. & A. 634; 1 Dow. & Ry. 266. So an action lies fbr maliciously obtaining or executing a search warrant for smuggled goods, though none such are found. 1 T. R. 535, n.; 1 Dow. & Ry. 97; 2 Chit. Rep. 304. And a man may recover in an action for a malicious prosecution of his wife, of which he has paid the expenses. Rep. Temp. Hardw. 54; 2 Stra. 977.

But though actions for malicious prosecution are thus allowed, they are by no means encouraged by the courts. 1 Salk. 15. In order to support them, there must have been want of probable cause for the prosecution—malice ex> press or implied—and an injury sustained by the plaintiff, either in his person by imprisonment, his reputation by scandal, or his property by expense. 2 Sel. N. P. 1056, 1057.

There must have been no probable ground of prosecution. 3 Dow’s Rep. 160, 180, 181, 182, 181. It is a mixed proposition of law and fact whether there was probable cause, and whether the circumstances alleged to show it probable, are true, and existed as matter of fact: but whether or not, supposing them to be true, they amount to a probable cause is question of law. 1 T. R. 520, 634; Bul. N. P. 14; 4 Burr. 1914; 2 B. & C. 693; 4 Dow. & Ry. 107; 1 Carr. Rep. 138, 204; 1 Gow. C. N. P. 20; Morris v. Corson, 1 Cowen, 284; M'Cormick v. Sessions, 1 Cowen, 717; Ulmer v. Leland, 1 Green. 135.

North Carolina.—In an action for a malicious prosecution, the dismissal of a state’s warrant by the magistrate, who tried it, is prima facie evidence of the want of probable cause, and throws upon the prosecutor the burthen of proving that there was probable cause. Johnson v. Martin, 2 Murphy, 248; Secor v. Babcock, 2 Johns. 203; see Findley v. Buchanan, 1 Blackf. (Ind.) 12.

Massachusetts.—A conviction of the plaintiff before a justice of the peace, having jurisdiction, is conclusive evidence of probable cause. Whitney v. Peckham, 15 Mass. 243. But see Burt v. Place, 4 Wend. 598. See further, on this head, Maddox v. Jackson, 4 Munf. 462; Cotton v. James, 1 Barn. & Adol. 128; Pierce v. Thompson, 6 Pick. 193.

As to the question of probable cause—how far one of law, and how far one of fact, see M'Cormick v. Sessions, 7 Cow. 717; Ulmer v. Leland, 1 Greenl. 135; Leggett v. Blount, 2 Taylor, 123; Munns v. Dupont, 3 Wash. C. C. 31; Colman v. Wolcott, 1 Connecticut, 285; Kelton v. Bevins, Cook, 90; Crabtree v. Horton, 4 Munf. 59; Maddox v. Jackson, id. 462 ; 2 Stark. Ev. (5th Am. ed.) 493 and n. (K.)

It is not necessary that there should have been any legal grounds for the action; for it will suffice to excuse the prosecutor if it appear, from the circumstances of the case, that he was not actuated by improper motives, but by a sincere belief that the party accused was guilty, and an anxiety to bring him to justice. Cro. Jac. 193.

In an action against a magistrate for a malicious conviction, it is not sufficient to show that the plaintiff was innocent of the offence of which he was convicted, but he must also show, from what passed before the magistrate, that there was a want of probable cause. 1 Marsh. 110; 5 Taunt. 580, S. C. But it is no answer to this action that the defendant was encouraged in what he did by the opinion of counsel, if the statement of facts was incorrect, or the opinion ill founded. 5 Taunt. 277; 2 B. & C. 693; 4 Dow. & Ry. 107; 1 Carr. Re. 204; see 4 Serg. & R. 23. «Whether the opinion of the prosecuting officer, in favor of the legality of the prosecution, be evidence of probable cause. Qucere. Thompson v. Mussey, 3 Greenl. 305.

Besides the want of probable cause, malice must also be shown, either express, or apparent from the proceedings. See Warner v. Bruen, 4 Rogers’ Rep. 92; Kelton v. Bevins, Cooke, 90; Somner v. Wilt, 4 Serg. & Rawle, 19, 23; Kerr v. Workman, Addis. 270; Turner v. Walker, 3 Gill & Johns. 377.

Whether a suit was brought maliciously, and for the purpose of vexing and oppressing the defendant, is a question for the jury under all the circumstances of the case. Ray v. Law, 1 Peters’ Rep. 210. And therefore, in an action for a malicious prosecution, it will not be sufficient to show, in addition to the record of acquittal, that, after the indictment was ready for trial the prosecutor was called and did not appear, on which an immediate acquittal was directed without further proof of express malice, or at least of circumstances showing an entire want of all probable cause on which the proceeding rested. 9 East, 361. And it is said, that wherever the grand jury find the bill of indictment, express malice must be shown on the part of the individual indicting; though it will be otherwise if the facts necessarily lie within the knowledge of the original prosecutor, for then he must prove that he had reasonable grounds of suspicion, or the plaintiff will be entitled to recover. 1 Ld. Raym. 381; Bul. N. P. 14; 9 East, 362, n. b.; 2 Selw. N. P. 1050, n. 1. There seems also to be a material distinction between malicious prosecutions and malicious convictions; in the former, if it be shown "that there was no probable cause whatever, malice must be inferred, because the prosecutor has sworn to the truth of a charge manifestly unfounded. But, in actions for malicious convictions on penal statutes, the question of probable cause does not depend on the actual guilt or innocence of the party, but of the testimony given before the magistrate; and, therefore, to support the latter action, the depositions-must be given in evidence. 1 Marsh. 220. And eyen where the indictment has been thrown, out by the grand jury, if it were only for a trifling misdemeanor, some evidence, however small, must be offered of a malevolent design. 1 Marsh. 12 ; 5 Taunt. 181; Sed vide, 4 B. & C. 24. It has also been laid down, that where a defendant has been acquitted on the trial, he need not, in the first instance, show express malice in the party by whom he was indicted, in order to support an action for a malicious prosecution; but where the indictment is quashed for informality, an express malice must, in the first instance, be shown by the plaintiff. Willes, 620.

In general, both malice and the want of probable cause, either express or implied, must appear, to entitle the plaintiff to recover. Bul. N. P. 14; 4 Burr. 1974; see Kelton v. Bevins, Cooke, 90; Munns v. Dupont, 3 Wash. C. C. R. 31; Marshal v. Bussard, Gilmer, 9; Bell v. Graham, 1 Nott & M'Cord, 278: Lindsay v. Larned, 17 Mass. Rep. 190; Vanduzor v. Lindermand, 10 Johns. R. 106.

It is certain that malice will not suffice if there were any apparent cause for the proceedings. Bull. N. P. 14. And though malignity may, in somo cases, be fairly inferred from the want of grounds to support the proceedings, (Bennet v. Black, 1 Stewart, 39,) the latter can never be collected from the most positive proof of the former. 1 T. R. 546. So that; in every case, the plaintiff must give evidence, however slight, that no grounds existed for the proceedings, before the defendant can be called upon to answer. 2 Selw. N. P. 1056, n. 2. The‘question whether he has succeeded in doing this, is partly of law and partly of fact; whether the circumstances alleged on either side are true or false, is a matter of fact to be left to the jury; whether, if true, they prove a reasonable ground of prosecution, or the reverse, is an inference of law on which the court alone can decide. 1 T. R. 445; Bull N. P. 14; 2 Sel. N. P. 1056, n. 1; Id. 1061.

Mew York.—No action will lie against a person in this state for suborning a witness to swear falsely in a cause in another state, whereby a judgment was given against the defendant in that state contrary to the truth and justice of the case. Smith v. Lewis, 3 Johns. Rep. 151.

Connecticut.—A person may be liable for prosecuting a suit commenced by him maliciously, and without probable cause, while an infant. Sterling v. Adams et al., 3 Day, 411.

The damage, as we have just seen, must either be to the person, by rm-prisonment; to the reputation, by scandal; to the property, by expense. With respect to the imprisonment, any momentary detention seems sufficient. But the plaintiff cannot recover damages for an imprisonment after a jail delivery, for it was his own fault to lie in the prison after. Bro. Damages, pl. 115; Sayer, Damages, 81. As to the scandal, it seems that any charge which would be a libel if not preferred in the course of legal proceeding, would be sufficient; .but an indictment for a mere trespass, as an assault, &c., would not. See 12 Mod. 210; Gilb. L. & E. 202; 2 B. & C. 494; 3 Dow. & Ry. 669. Injury to the property, by expense, is a sufficient ground for supporting the action. Gilb. L. & E. 185, 202; 1 T. R. 518; Carth. 421; 14 East, 302, 305.

See Waterman’s Archbold’s Criminal Practice and Pleading, vol. 1, p. 205, et. seq. from which the foregoing note has been chiefly taken.