State ex rel. Duncan v. Price
State ex rel. Duncan v. Price
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
This was a petition for a mandamus against John C. Price, Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court in this State. The petition alleges that on the --day of May, 1864, Da
The relator contends that no change of venue is authorized or allowed by law in such a case, and that the Lawrence Circuit Court could not divest itself of jurisdiction, but was bound to proceed to hear and determine the cause. A strict literal interpretation of the statute.'might give some countenance to this position, as it is declared that “proceedings on an injunction to stay a suit or judgment shall be had in the county where the judgment was rendered or the suit is pending, and the summons may be directed and served as summons in ordinary cases” — R. 0. 1855, p. 1248, § 5. But it is also provided that a change of venue may be awarded in any civil suit in any Circuit Court where the judge is interested or prejudiced, or is related to, or has been of counsel in the cause for either party — ibid. p. 1559, § 1. It cannot be presumed that section five in the. Practice Act was intended to deprive a party of his right to a change of venue for any
We will not suppose that the Legislature was guilty of the absurdity of compelling a party to proceed and submit his cause to a judge who is so prejudiced against him that he cannot do him justice, or who is related to one of the parties, or who has been counsel against him; or if be refuses to make such submission, that then he must be deprived of all remedy or claim to have his rights adjudicated. We think that the fair and reasonable intendment of the statute is, that .proceedings on an injunction to stay a suit or judgment shall be instituted in the county where the judgment was rendered or the suit is pending, and then, if the judge is disqualified, a change of venue may be awarded as in other eases.
The change of venue was rightfully awarded, and after the order providing for the change was made the Lawrence Circuit Court ceased to have any further control or jurisdiction over the case, and very properly refused to proceed to hear and determine the same.
The mandamus is refused, with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- State ex rel. William Duncan v. John C. Price, Judge of the Lawrence Circuit Court
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published