Craighead County v. Cross County

50 Ark. 431

• Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas
• Decided: November 15, 1887
• Status: Published

Opinion

Cockkill, C. J.

An indictment for a felony was found in Craighead county. The prosecution was removed to Cross county on the defendant’s application, and was there abandoned by the state, a not, pros, being entered. Cross county paid the costs and presented an account to the Craighead county court for an allowance in her favor for the amount paid. The county court rejected the claim. On appeal to the circuit court it was allowed, and from this judgment Craighead county appeals.

In the case of Stalcup v. Greenwood District, of Sebastian county, 44 Ark., 31, it was decided that the statute does not impose upon a county the payment of the costs incurred in the prosecution. of a misdemeanor which has been dismissed by nolle prosequi. No distinction is made by the statute between a "misdemeanor and a felony as to the county’s liability for costs in case of a nol. pros. Mansf. Dig., sec. 2343. Following the construction of the statute in the case cited, no liability was incurred by Craighead county for the costs paid by Cross, and there-could be no recovery.

The certificate of the adjustment of the costs for which a county is liable, which the statute requires to be made-by the circuit court in which the cause was tried. (Mansf. Dig., sec. 2345) is not conclusive of the county’s-liability. It was so held in Ouachita county v. Sanders, 10 Ark., 467, and in several subsequent cases. Chicot county v. Kruse, 47 Ark., 80, and cases cited. The statute does not authorize the circuit court to cause the certificate to be made except in cases where the cause is tried. A nol. pros, is not a trial.

Those who serve the public must be content with such, remuneration as the law provides. If none is provided,, none can be demanded. Fanning v. State, 47 Ark., 442.

Reverse the judgment and remand the cause.