People v. Circuit Court

48 N.E. 717, 169 Ill. 201
Illinois Supreme Court·Decided November 1, 1897·Published·Cited by 29 cases

Opinion

Mr. Justice Magruder

delivered the opinion of the court:

First—The first question arises upon the original petition filed in this court, asking for a rule upon the respondents to show cause why a writ of prohibition should not issue against them.

A writ of prohibition is an extraordinary writ, issued by a superior court to an inferior court to prevent the latter from exceeding its jurisdiction. It may be invoked to prohibit the inferior tribunal from assuming jurisdiction in a matter over which it has no control, and also from going beyond its legitimate powers in a matter of which it has jurisdiction. It is a remedy provided by the common law against the encroachment of jurisdiction by inferior courts, and for the purpose of keeping such courts within the bounds prescribed for them by law. The functions, whose exercise may be restrained by it, are judicial functions. Unlike a writ of injunction which acts upon the parties to the suit, a writ of prohibition operates upon the court, and “the judge and officers who disregard it may be punished.” The writ issues only in cases of extreme necessity. It only operates upon the particular proceeding, or suit, in the court to which it is directed. Its object is, not to remove the matter prohibited from the lower to the higher court for the purpose of procuring the decision of the latter court upon such matter, but to restrain the lower court from further prosecution of the original proceeding, when it has no jurisdiction over the subject matter in dispute. It is never resorted to when there is another adequate remedy, nor can it be used to correct mere irregularities, or to perform the functions of an appeal or writ of error. (Quimbo Appo v. People, 20 N. Y. 531; Mayo, Mayor, etc. v. James, 12 Gratt. 17; James v. Stokes, 77 Va. 225; Smith v. Whitney, 116 U. S. 167; High on Ex. Legal Rem. secs. 762-794; McGoniha v. Guthrie, 21 W. Va. 134; 19 Am. & Eng. Ency. of Law, pp. 263-274).

Such being the nature of the writ of prohibition, has the Supreme Court of this State the power to issue it? Section 2 of article 6 of the constitution of 1870 provides, that “the Supreme Court * * * shall have original jurisdiction in cases relating to the revenue, in mandamus and habeas corpus, and appellate jurisdiction in all other cases.”

The constitution is a limitation upon the powers of the legislature, but it is regarded as a grant of power to the executive and judicial departments of the government. Hence, the executive and judiciary can only exercise such powers as are granted by the constitution. (Field v. People, 2 Scam. 79). The constitution only specifies three cases in which this court can exercise original jurisdiction, and the issuance of writs of prohibition is not one of them. Original jurisdiction being thus conferred upon the Supreme Court in certain specified cases, it cannot exercise original jurisdiction in cases not specified. In all other cases than those named, its jurisdiction is appellate only. (Campbell v. Campbell, 22 Ill. 664).

A prohibition is an original remedial writ, as old as the common law itself. (Thomas v. Mead, 36 Mo. 232; McGoniha v. Guthrie, supra; High on Ex. Legal Rem. sec. 762). It would seem, therefore, to be clear, that this court has no original jurisdiction to issue a writ of prohibition. There are cases in many of the States where courts of last resort are held to have original jurisdiction to issue such writs; but it will be found upon examination that, in States where such decisions have been made,, the constitution of the State in express terms confers either the power to award writs of prohibition, as in Virginia and West Virginia, (James v. Stokes, supra; McGoniha v. Guthrie, supra), or the power to award “original remedial writs” as in Missouri, (Thomas v. Mead, supra), or the power to issue any remedial writs necessary to give the court of last resort general supervision and control over the inferior courts, as in North Carolina, (Perry v. Shepherd, 78 N. C. 83).

But it is contended by counsel for petitioner and appellant, that, even if it be true, that this court has no original jurisdiction to issue a writ of prohibition, yet such a writ may be issued by this court in aid of its appellate jurisdiction, or for the protection of its appellate jurisdiction, and as ancillary thereto in a cause which is properly before it. The constitution vests this court with appellate jurisdiction in all other cases than the three already named. A grant of power carries with it such implied powers as are necessary to the exercise of the powers expressly conferred. (Hawes v. People, 124 Ill. 560). It is a general rule, that, when a constitution gives a general power, or enjoins a duty, it also gives, by implication, every particular power necessary for the exercise of the one, or the performance of the other. (Field v. People, supra). Hence it would seem to follow that the writ of prohibition, which is a common law writ not expressly prohibited by the constitution, or any statute of the State, can be resorted to by this court in aid of, or for the protection of, its appellate jurisdiction. Indeed, section 8 of the act of March 23, 1874, in regard to the Supreme Court provides, that that court “may issue writs of mandamus, habeas corpus, certiorari, error and supersedeas, and all other tvrits not prohibited by law, which may be necessary to enforce the due administration of justice in all matters within its jurisdiction.” (1 Starr & Curtis’ Stat. p. 697). The grant of the general power to exercise appellate jurisdiction would seem to imply the particular power to issue the writ of prohibition if it is necessary to the exercise of such jurisdiction.

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People v. Circuit Court, 48 N.E. 717, 169 Ill. 201 (Ill. 1897).

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