U.S. Circuit Court for the District of District of Columbia, 1825

United States v. Stott

United States v. Stott
U.S. Circuit Court for the District of District of Columbia · Decided April 15, 1825 · Thruston
2 D.C. 552; 27 F. Cas. 1349; 2 Cranch 552
United States v. Stott

Opinion of the Court

The Court (Thruston, J., absent,)

said that the bailiff had no right to force the door' open, under those circumstances. That he could not lawfully use force to get in, although the door was partially opened by the defendant. It was like the case of a door fastened with a chain so as to allow it to be opened a few inches only. In Lee v. Gansel, Lord Mansfield doubted, whether, if the chamber of Gansel could be considered as his castle, and the door so far opened as to admit the thigh of the officer, he could justify forcing himself entirely in, so as to arrest Gansel.

Verdict, not guilty.

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