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Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 1827

Devoll v. Brownell

Devoll v. Brownell
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · Decided October 15, 1827
22 Mass. 447

Devoll v. Brownell

Opinion of the Court

Per Curiam.

We think he is bound to answer the questions, although he may thereby charge himself.1 The -constitutional provision that no subject shall be compelled to furnish evidence against himself, does not relate to questions of property.2

See Lamb v. Stone, 11 Pick. 533.

See 1 Stark. Ev. (5th Amer, ed.) 165, n. 1 ; Roscoe’s Dig. Crim. Ev (Amer, ed.) 129, n. 1 ; Copp v. Upham, 3 N. Hamp. R. 159.

A witness may be compelled to produce a paper, though it may subject him to a pecuniary loss. Bull v. Loveland, 10 Pick. 9.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.

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