Citizens' Bank & Trust Co. v. Rogers
Citizens' Bank & Trust Co. v. Rogers
Opinion of the Court
Appellee applied for and ob-
tained a writ of garnishment against appellant, alleging that he was the owner of a certain judgment obtained by C. A. Am-brust against F. R. Young, in the county court of Bexar county; that Young had not, within the knowledge of appellee, any property subject to execution; and that he believed that appellant had in its hands effects *259 belonging to Young. Appellant answered, denying that it had any effects belonging to Young. The answer was controverted by appellee. The cause was tried without a jury, and judgment was rendered in favor of appellee for $165.19.
There being no pleading or evidence attacking the validity of the judgment upon which the writ of garnishment is based, it
becomes unnecessary for this court to pass on the question as to whether a dormant judgment will support a writ of garnishment. It may be stated, however, that the Supreme Court, in the case of White v. Casey, 25 Tex. 552, has held:
“But it is also contended that the justice’s judgment was dormant, and, therefore, could not support a garnishment. The writ of garnishment is but another mode of execution, having for its object the collection of money due on the judgment. If execution had been issued on the judgment, it would have been only voidable, not void. If the money had been paid on such an execution, it could not have been recovered back, either from the officer or the plaintiff in the judgment. We think the same principle must apply to the garnishment.”
This decision has been cited a number of times, but seems to have escaped the attention of two Courts of Civil Appeals in the cases of Friedman v. Early Grocery Co., 22 Tex. Civ. App. 285, 54 S. W. 278, and Bank v. Brown, 42 Tex. Civ. App. 584, 92 S. W. 1052; for in those cases a contrary rule is laid down. In the last case it is stated that it is well settled that a valid writ of garnishment cannot be issued upon a dormant judgment, and the case of Friedman v. Early Grocery Co. is cited as settling it. It would not seem to be so well settled when the Supreme Court has decided differently. We need not express an opinion on the subject until it is squarely before us for decision.
We discover no errors requiring a reversal, and the judgment is affirmed.
Reference
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- Citizens’ Bank & Trust Co. v. Rogers
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