Gross Distributing Co. v. City of Shelbyville
Gross Distributing Co. v. City of Shelbyville
Opinion of the Court
In these appeals, from judgments fining the appellants for violating an ordi
What appears to be the universal rule, as stated in 62 C.J.S. Municipal Corporations § 381, pp. 726, 727, is that in the absence of statutory authorization a city is not liable for costs in proceedings for violation of a city ordinance, regardless of whether the proceedings be regarded as civil or criminal, whether the judgment is one of conviction or acquittal, and whether the ordinance is held valid or invalid. Our court followed this rule in City of Owensboro v. McFall, 153 Ky. 754, 156 S.W. 388.
The only statutory authorization in Kentucky for assessment of costs against a city in a proceeding for violation of a city ordinance is found in KRS 26.430(3), which relates solely to third-class cities (Shelbyville is of the fourth class). This statute says that the city is not liable for costs “unless they are collected in money and paid into the city treasury.” It is difficult for us to conceive what kind of situation the quoted clause was intended to cover, but obviously the situation would be a remote one.
We do not believe that the particular prohibition against liability of third-class cities for costs can be converted into an implied statutory authorization for imposition of liability for costs upon other classes of cities. The prevailing rule seems to be that express statutory authorization is required, and we believe that rule is valid.
We do not express or imply any opinion as to liability of cities for costs in civil cases.
The mandate herein is recalled with directions that it be reissued containing no provision for recovery of costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.