State v. Stroope

20 Ark. 202

• Court: Supreme Court of Arkansas
• Decided: January 15, 1859
• Status: Published

Opinion

Mr. Justice Compton

delivered the opinion of the Court.

This -vyas an indictment against Stroope, as overseer of the road. The defendant was acquitted, and a new trial being denied the State, she excepted, and appealed.

It appears from the bill of exceptions taken at the trial, that the Attorney for the State proved by the records of the County Court, the appointment of the defendant as overseer of the road mentioned in the indictment; and, in order to show his acceptance thereof, proposed to prove by parol that the defendant had acted as such overseer; which the Court refused to permit him to do. In this the Court erred: for, although the statute required the Clerk to make out, and the sheriff to serve on the defendant, a written notice of his appointment, and required the acceptance or refusal of such appointment to be returned to the Clerk (Gould's Dig., p. 963); and, although secondaiy evidence, as a general rule, is inadmissible, unless it be shown that the primary or higher grade of evidence is unattainable, yet this rule has its exceptions; and proof that an individual has acted as a publie officer, is prima facie evidence of his official character, and may be shown by parol. This is well established as to sheriffs, constables, justices of the peace, and a variety of other officers. Greenleaf's Ev., vol. 1, sec. 92; 4 T. R. 366; McCoy vs. Curtice, 9 Wend. 17; Wharton Crim. Law, pages 241, 242; 1 Phil. Ev. 432, 433, and authorities there cited.

Overseers of the road are regular officers, chosen at stated periods, with powers and duties defined and regulated by statute; and no good reason is perceived why their official characters may not be shown, as that of a justice of the peace, constable, or other public officer.

The judgment must be reversed, and the case remanded for further proceedings.