West v. Thompson

Supreme Court of Vermont
West v. Thompson, 27 Vt. 613 (Vt. 1854)
Bennett

West v. Thompson

Opinion of the Court

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Bennett, J.

¥e think the deputy sheriff, who attached the property, has such a special interest in it that he may well sue in trover or in assumpsit on his receipt. Though, for an official neglect in not keeping the property so that it might be taken in execution, the creditor’s remedy must be against the sheriff, yet the deputy would be personally liable to the sheriff and, upon the ground of his liablity over to the sheriff, he must have the legal right to protect his possession against any one who has not a superior right.

He does not sue in his official capacity, but that, in connection with the proofs and proceedings under it, are matters of evidence to show a special property vested in the deputy sheriff as an individual and in his private right. This can hardly be regarded as an open question.

Judgment of county court affirmed with costs.

Reference

Full Case Name
Nathaniel West v. Otis Thompson and Hiram House
Cited By
1 case
Status
Published
Syllabus
A deputy sheriff who attaches personal property, and takes a receipt for it in his own name, has such a personal interest in it that, upon a refusal to deliver, he may maintain an action for it either in trover, or assumpsit on thó receipt, in his own name.