Davis v. Bayliss
Davis v. Bayliss
Opinion of the Court
The taking of a receipt for property by the sheriff, from a defendant in an action for replevin, is unknown to the statute. By the Code, § 3234, the sheriff having taken possesion of the property is required to deliver it to the plaintiff. It is true the defendant may retain possession by executing a bond with sureties as provided by section 3235. The return of the sheriff and the receipt attached thereto were not correct. He did not take actual possession. The actual possession never changed. When the court enters a judgment for the plaintiff in replevin, and it appears that the defendant is in the actual possession of the property, the alternative judgment is proper. At least, if there is any arrangement between the parties by which the possession of the defendant is to be held as the possession of the plaintiff, such claim should be made when the judgment is rendered.
It appears from the evidence in this case that the receipt was taken by the sheriff upon his own motion. He testified as follows: “I never delivered the property to plaintiff, and never got any authority from him to take a receipt of that, kind.” And there is nothing in the record to show that Bayliss ever ratified the act of the' sheriff in taking the receipt. Indeed, it appears by implication, at least, that he did not ratify such act, for he took the alternative judgment, and reserved the right to elect which he would pursue, the property or its value.
Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.