Owen v. Moore

8 Blackf. 79, 1846 Ind. LEXIS 45

• Court: Indiana Supreme Court
• Decided: June 2, 1846
• Status: Published

Opinion

Dewey, J.

Moore, the administrator of Reed, sued Owen before a justice of the peace in assumpsit on an account in favour of the intestate for 30 dollars and 57 cents. The defendant filed a set-off of 25 dollars. He was also entitled to the benefit of the general issue. The plaintiff- required the justice to certify the cause to the Probate Court, which was done. Tne defendant failed to appear in that Court, which, after hearing evidence, assessed the damages, and rendered a judgment against the defendant for the amount of the plaintiff’s claim, and for costs.

The statute in force when this suit was commenced and tried, and which required causes like this to be certified by the justice to the Probate Court, provided that the latter Court should hear and determine the transferred suit in the same manner as if it had been originally commenced there. Laws of 1832, p. 251. And by another statute issues of fact, in causes commenced in the Probate Court, were required to be tried by a jury, unless a jury were waived by the parties. R. S. 1838, p. 174. As the defendant was entitled to the benefit of the general issue, his non-appearance in the Probate Court did not dispense with a jury. The cause should have proceeded in the same manner as if he had appeared. Maddox v. Pulliam, 5 Blackf. 205. The judgment is therefore erroneous.

J. Ryman and P. L. Spooner, for the plaintiff. C. B. Smith, for the defendant.

Per Curiam.

The judgment is reversed with costs. Cause remanded, &c.