U.S. Circuit Court for the District of District of Columbia, 1811

United States v. Johnson

United States v. Johnson
U.S. Circuit Court for the District of District of Columbia · Decided June 15, 1811 · Cranch
2 D.C. 21; 26 F. Cas. 625; 2 Cranch 21
United States v. Johnson

Opinion of the Court

The CouRT (CRanch, C. J., absent,)

said that this was a dwelling-house, where a person sleeps at night, and is liable to be put in fear. The storekeeper was the servant or agent of Mr. Cassin. A person may have two dwelling-houses, in either of .which burglary may be committed. 1 Hale, H. P. C. 556; Cr. Cir. Comp. 207, 480. The sleeping in a house at night fixes its character, whether or not it be a dwelling-house; for a house which .is only occupied and resided in during the day, is not considered a dwelling-house. 1 Hawk. ch. 38, f 10 to <§> 20. On the contrary, if a person takes an inn of court, or a room for the purpose of lodging, burglary may be committed therein.

Verdict not guilty.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.