State v. C., R. I. & P. R. Co.
State v. C., R. I. & P. R. Co.
Opinion of the Court
“A highway, in 1854, could not be established in substantial conformity with the law, in proceedings had before the prosecuting attorney of the county acting as the county judge, except in the absence of such judge, or his inability to act, and the record should show the fact of such absence or inability to act, and the cause thereof, and if it does not it cannot be considered by you.”
The court refused to give this instruction.
Section 111 of the Code of 1851 is as follows:
“In case of a vacancy in the office of county judge, and in case of the absence, inability or interest of that officer, the prosecuting attorney of the county shall supply his place; and when a party in direct interest makes his affidavit to the fact of the interest of the judge, it will be his duty to vacate his seat for the time being, and to cause the prosecuting attorney to be notified to attend, and the judge’s refusal so to do will be good cause for an appeal, which may be taken either before the matter is heard or after. When, for the same cause, the prosecuting attorney cannot act, the county clerk shall fill the place of the judge, and the affidavit must apply to both judge and attorney. When, for any of the above causes, the judge'or the attorney, in his proper order, does not act, the record of the proceeding must show the fact and the cause.”
The court erred, we think, in admitting the record, and in refusing to give the instruction asked. This statute clearly requires that the fact and the cause of disqualification or other inability of the county judge must appear on the record in order to confer power upon the prosecuting attorney to act. Where the record does not disclose such facts the prosecuting attorney acts without authority and his acts are void. See Burlington University v. Executors of Stewart, 12 Iowa, 442.
The judgment is
Reversed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.