Crane v. Dod
Crane v. Dod
Opinion of the Court
This case was argued in November term, and in this term, Bennington, J. delivered the following opinion, in which the Chief Justice and Rossell, J. concurred.
— The justice, after recording the verdict, instead of pronouncing and entering a regular judgment, says — I give judgment accordingly. This certainly is no regular judgment. In the 18th section of the act concerning forcible entries and detainers, the justice, on the finding of the jury against the defendant, is required to record the verdict, and lo give judgment thereon,, with treble costs; and also to issue a W’rit of restitution, &c. And in the 16th section of the same act, it is made the duty of the justice to enter on his minutes or docket, among other things, the verdict, and his judgment thereon. This precision shows that a regular judgment was contemplated by the Legislature ; therefore it is considered, <fc.
It is said by the counsel for the defendant in this court, that by the precedents in the books, executions are issued in cases of forcible entry and detainer, without judgments be
But even in England, I apprehend, that a judgment is an indispensible requisite, especially in cases where the inquisition hath been traversed : 1 Bur. L. 265. It is the conclusion that follows from the law and the fact, and the ground work and foundation of the execution. As to notice to deliver possession, I think it necessary only in cases of unlawful detainer, where the tenants hold over. And as to trebling costs, I think that it is evident from the case of Thoroughgood us. Scroggs, Cro. Eliz. 582, that the actual cost must be multiplied by three; that is, if the legal costs be ten dollars, judgment must be rendered for thirty. But for the uncertainty and incorrectness in the rendering judgment, I think these proceedings must be quashed.
In these actions of forcible entry and detainer, where the defendant is to be turned out of possession, the act ought to be strictly pursued — Proceedings quashed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.