Gavin v. State

Mississippi Supreme Court
Gavin v. State, 96 Miss. 377 (Miss. 1909)
50 So. 498
Mayes

Gavin v. State

Opinion of the Court

Mayes, J.,

delivered tbe opinion of tbe court.

The only question in this case which we deem necessary to-discuss is whether or not, under section 5055 of tbe Code of 1906, wherein it is provided that “every keeper of a bouse of prostitution shall be punished as a vagrant,” excludes tbe right to prosecute such person for keeping a bawdy bouse.

It is urged by counsel for appellant that, since tbe adoption-of the section above quoted, there can be no indictment of a person as a bawdy bouse keeper, but that in every such case-such person must now be indicted only as a vagrant. We do not think this contention can bo maintained. Tbe common law-still prevails in this state, where not abrogated by statute, and offenses which were such under the common law are still indictable and punishable, and keeping a bawdy house was an offense-at common law, and not abrogated by our statute. One may be-indicted for keeping a bawdy house, which is one offense against the laws of the state, and, again, may also be indicted as a-vagrant,' which is another substantive offense. The keeper of a bawdy house offends the law in allowing, permitting, and encouraging lewd, indecent, and immoral practices; and, when-charged with being the keeper of a bawdy house, this is the thing for which the party is punished. In vagrancy, the offense consist-s in general worthlessness; that is to say, in being-idle, and, though able to work, refusing to do so, and living-without labor, or on the charity of others. It .is thus seen thair these two offenses are as distinct as the night and day.

Affirmed~

Reference

Full Case Name
Elizabeth Gavin v. State of Mississippi
Cited By
1 case
Status
Published
Syllabus
‘1. Ceiminal Law and Procedure. Bawdy house. 'Keeper of. Punishment. Code 1906, § 5056. Vagrancy. Code 1906, § 5055, providing that every keeper of a house of prostitution shall he punished as a vagrant, does not preclude the prosecution of such keeper for the common law offense of keeping a hawdy house. '2. Same. Vagrancy defined. Vagrancy, as an offense, consists in general worthlessness; in being idle and, although able to work, refusing to do so, and living without labor and on the charity of others.