Commonwealth v. Dexter

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Commonwealth v. Dexter, 77 Mass. 205 (Mass. 1858)
Shaw

Commonwealth v. Dexter

Opinion of the Court

Shaw, C. J.

The St. of 1852, c. 322, § 12, which governs this case, requires that “ whenever a default shall be had upon any recognizance required under this act, scire facias shall be issued returnable at the next term.” It was held in Commonwealth v. Thompson, 2 Gray, 82, that the special remedy prescribed by the act must be followed in all suits on recognizances under the act, and that an action of contract on such a recognizance, returnable at a subsequent term, could not therefore be maintained. For the same reason scire facias must be brought at the first term after the default. Commonwealth v. Brown, 7 Gray, 319. The provision of the St. of 1855, c. 215, § 36, altering this law, is limited to suits on recognizances under that act, and does not affect this case.

Judgment for the defendant.

Reference

Full Case Name
Commonwealth v. Christopher C. Dexter
Status
Published