State v. Williams
State v. Williams
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
On September 25. 1907, the respondent became surety on the recognizance of Fannie Bridges for her appearance in the court of a magistrate. The condition of the recognizance, in so far as the questions decided are affected, was as follows: “That said Fannie Bridges shall personally appear before the court of magistrate B. F. Wilson, in the court aforesaid, in Anderson county, on the second day of October, at ten a. m., then and there to answer to a bill of indictment to be preferred against Fannie Bridges for adultery, and to do and receive what shall be enjoined by the court, and not depart the court without license,” etc.
' The defendant appeared on the 2d of October, but the hearing was continued indefinitely by agreement of the attorneys representing the prosecution and defense. The case was called on December 10th, but the defendant failed to appear, and it was again continued by consent of the attorneys. It was again called on December 18th, and the *24 defendant again failed to appear. The attorneys for both sides announced themselves ready to proceed with the hearing, but the magistrate refused to proceed in the absence of the defendant, and sent the recognizance to the Court of General Sessions to be estreated.
A rule was issued against 'the respondent, requiring him to show cause why the recognizance should not be estreated. He made return, setting forth, in substance, the following grounds:
1. That the prosecution was not bona fide, but was commenced solely for the purpose of forcing the defendant to remain within the jurisdiction pending the decision of her right to the custody of her child.
2. That the recognizance was void, because the condition was that the principal should appear in a magistrate’s court
• and answer a bill of indictment to be preferred against her for adultery; whereas, magistrates’ courts have no jurisdiction to prefer such a bill, or to answer thereto.
3. That the condition required the principal to appear and “to do and receive what shall be enjoined by the court,” which relates to' the sentence; whereas, magistrates’ courts have no jurisdiction to impose sentences in such cases.
4. That the magistrate had no jurisdiction of the offense charged, because the defendant resided in Oconee county during the whole time referred to in the information and warrant.
5. That the information stated no offense.
6. That the case was continued on October 2d, without the consent of the surety.
7. That it does not appear that the defendant was called at the door of the court house, or at the office of the magistrate.
8. That the State had waived its right to' require the personal appearance of the defendant by announcing itself ready to proceed with the hearing in her absence, and by arguing her demurrer to the information and warrant, and *25 because an appeal was pending from the order of the magistrate overruling said demurrer.
9. That the defendant had waived her right to be present, and had appeared by attorney.
10. That it does not appear that any judgment was obtained against the defendant, and return of non est inventus thereon.
The Circuit Judge held that the Court of General Sessions has no jurisdiction to estreat a recognizance conditioned for the appearance of a' party in a magistrate’s court. He also held that the continuance of the cause on October 2d, without the consent of the surety, in effect, made a new contract, and the surety was thereby released, and he discharged the rule. The other grounds set up by the respondent were held to be insufficient.
From the order of the Circuit Court the State appealed, and the respondent gave notice that he would rely, in this Court,-upon the grounds which had been held insufficient to sustain the judgment of the Circuit Court.
Those sections are as follows: Section 84. “In all recognizances by any person for keeping the peace, or good behavior, or for appearing as a party, surety or witness at any court of criminal jurisdiction within the State, the sum or sums of money in which any such persons shall be bound shall be made payable to the State; and every such recognizance shall be good and effectual in law, provided it be signed by every party thereto in the presence of a Judge, clerk of a Court of Common Pleas, magistrate, or notary public, who shall sign the same as a witness.”
Section 85. “Whenever such recognizance shall become forfeited by non-compliance with the condition thereof, the attorney-general, or solicitor, or other person acting for him, *26 shall, without delay, issue a notice to summon every party bound in such forfeited recognizance to be and appear at the next ensuing Court of General Sessions, ’to show cause, if any he has, why judgment should not be confirmed against him; and if any person so bound fail to appear, or, appearing, shall not give such reason for not performing the condition of such recognizance as the Court shall deem sufficient, then the judgment on such recognizance shall be confirmed.”
“A recognizance binds the principal not only to appear, but to abide the judgment of the Court, and not to depart thence without its leave; and if the principal be ordered to execute a new bond, either to keep the peace for a specified period, or for his appearance at a subsequent term, or before another court, and he depart without complying with the order, it is a breach of the recognizance.” . 3 A. & E. Enc., 715.
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While the defendant might waive her right to be present at the heáring, she could not waive the right of the State to require her presence. A recognizance may be estreated for failure to personally appear even before trial or conviction. State v. Minton, 19 S. C., 280.
The judgment of the Circuit Court is reversed, and the case remanded to that Court for such further proceedings as may be proper.
Reference
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- State v. Williams.
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