Wyeth v. Richardson

76 Mass. 240

• Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Decided: November 15, 1857
• Status: Published

Opinion

Shaw, C. J.

The general principles of law are opposed to the allowance of exceptions in this case. The great purpose of the writ of habeas corpus is the immediate delivery of the party deprived of personal liberty. The allowance of exceptions would be inconsistent with the object of the writ. The consequence of allowing exceptions must be, either that all further proceedings be stayed, which would be wholly inconsistent with the purpose of the writ; or that the exceptions must be held frivolous, and judgment rendered non obstante for the discharge of the party, in which case the exceptions would be, unavailing. The allowance of exceptions being thus inconsistent with the very purpose of the writ, the conclusion must be that the exceptions do not lie.

Section 26 of chapter 81 of the Revised Statutes, authorizing any question of law arising “ in any trial or other proceeding, either of a civil or criminal nature, at law or in equity,” before this court when held by one justice, to be reserved and reported for the consideration of the full court, applies to another class of cases. The right to except to the opinion of one judge in cases of divorce stands on the special provision of Rev. Sts. c. 76, § 7.

In the present case, we do not mean to intimate that the party was not rightly discharged from custody, nor that the executive could rightfully revoke a warrant issued for the arrest of a fugitive from justice from another state. Not being within the jurisdiction of the court, we pass no judgment on that question.

Power given to a judge in vacation in cases of habeas corpus may be exercised without being in court or making the case a matter of record. It is a special power, conferred by statute, to be used by a judge as judge, not as a court; though if the court is in session when the writ is returned, the judge may adjourn the case into court. Rev. Sts. c. Ill, § 9. There is no appellate power over such decisions made at chambers by a justice of this court. For similar cases in the supreme court of the United States, see In re Metzger, 5 How. 176; In re Kaine, 14 How. 103.

The court will exercise no appellate jurisdiction; but where they have authority to issue the writ, if upon its return it appears that the party is committed by a court of competent j urisdiction under a regular process, this court will not inquire into the regularity of the judgment on which he is committed.

A more particular examination of the provisions of the statute confirms our conclusion tha.t these exceptions must be dismissed. The writ of habeas corpus is to be issued 11 without delay,” and returnable “forthwith,” either before this court or before any one of the justices thereof. Rev. Sts. c. Ill, § 4. “ The court or judge shall, without delay, proceed to examine the causes of the imprisonment or restraint.” § 18. “ The court

or judge shall proceed, in a summary way,” to examine the causes of the imprisonment or restraint, and to hear all parties for or against it, “ and thereupon to dispose of the party as law and justice require.” § 21.

Exceptions dismissed

*

See St. 1859, c. 196, §§ 27, 38, 58.