Griffin v. Polhemus

California Supreme Court
Griffin v. Polhemus, 20 Cal. 180 (Cal. 1862)
Field, Norton

Griffin v. Polhemus

Opinion of the Court

Field, C. J. delivered the opinion of the Court—Norton, J. concurring.

In Musgrove v. Perkins (9 Cal. 212) we held, that the granting or refusing of a continuance rested in the sound discretion of the Court below, and that its ruling would not be revised, except for the most cogent reasons. “ The Court below,” we observed, “ is apprized of all the circumstances of the case and the previous proceedings, and is, therefore, better able to decide upon the propriety of granting the application than an appellate Court; and when it exercises a reasonable and not an arbitrary discretion, its action will not be disturbed.” The same views have been repeatedly expressed by us in other cases, and there is nothing in the present case which would justify any qualification or departure from them. (The Pilot Rock Creek Canal Co. v. Chapman et al., 11 Cal. 161.)

Judgment affirmed.

Reference

Full Case Name
GRIFFIN v. POLHEMUS
Cited By
3 cases
Status
Published
Syllabus
The granting or refusing of a continuance rests in the sound discretion of the Court to which the application is made, and its ruling will not be revised by the appellate Court, except for the most cogent reasons. Accordingly, where an application for a continuance on the ground of the absence of a material witness, alleged to be in Hew South Wales, was opposed by an affidavit, showing in substance that the witness had been in San Erancisco (the place of trial) a long period after issue joined, and before the case was called for trial; that the witness had been examined on a previous trial; and that the plaintiff knew of the witness’ intention to leave San Erancisco some time before his departure, and the application was refused by the Court, and judgment of dismissal for want of evidence was accordingly entered. On appeal the judgment was affirmed.