State v. Thomas , 144 Ala. 77 ( 1906 )

HARALSON, J.

Section 4730 of the Criminal Code provides, that “Any person, who with intent to injure or defraud his employer, enters into a contract in writing for the performance of any act or service, and thereby obtains money or other personal property from such employer, and, with like intent, and without just cause, and without refunding such money, or paying for such property, refuses to perform such act or service, muse, on conviction, be punished as if he had stolen it.” This section has been amended by adding at- the end of it, the following provision, “And the refusal or failure of any person, who enters into such a contract, to perform such act or service, or refund such money or pay for such property, without just cause, shall be prima, facie evidence of the intent to injure or defraud his employer. “Acts 1903 p. 345. The defendant was indicted under this section as amended.

The indictment charges that defendant with intent to injure or defraud his employer, T. L. McCullough, entered into a contract in writing for the performance of service as a farm laborer, and thereby obtained the sum of seven dollars from said T. L. McCullough, and with like intent and without just cause therefor, and without refunding said money, refused to perform said service as a farm laborer against the peace and dignity, etc.” There was evidence tending to show that defendant was guilty as charged in the indictment.

The bill of exceptions recites, that, after the evidence was all in, the court instructed the jury that so much of the act of the Legislature of 1903, amendatory of section 4730 of the Code of 1896, (setting the same out as above) was unconstitutional and void. The State, by its solicitor, excepted to such ruling, and under section 4315 of the Code, appeals to reverse the same. The solicitor, to raise the same question in a different form, requested a charge, “that the refusal or failure of defendant to perform the services alleged in the indictment, or to refund the money obtained'from the employer under the contract between him and defendant, and the failure or refusal of the defendant to pay for the property obtained under said contract, makes out a prima facie case of defendant’s intent to injure or defraud said McCullough,” which charge the court refused.

The amendment of section 4730, which section simply declares the intent, declares a prima facie rule of evidence in such cases. In 8 Cyc. 820, it is said, “The legislature has the power to give greater effect to evidence than it possesses at common law, and in both civil and criminal proceedings, it may declare what shall be prima facie evidence. On the other hand, it cannot prescribe •what shall be conclusive evidence, as this would be an invasion of the province of the judiciary.” This, seems to be -a rule of well nigh, if not of universal recognition.

The case of State v. Beach, 147 Ind. 74; S. C. 36 L. R. A. 179, was one where a statute made it prima facie evidence of a banker’s intent to defraud in receiving a deposit, if his failure, suspension or involuntary liquidation occurs within thirty days thereof. In construing that statute, the'constitutionality of which was questioned, the court said, “We think it clear that the legislature has the power to prescribe rules of evidence and methods of proof. A law which would in effect exclude the evidence of a party, and thereby deny him the right to be heard, would deprive-him of due process of law. A law which provides that certain facts are conclusive proof of guilt would be unconstitutional, as would one which makes an act prima facie evidence of crime, which has no relation to a criminal act, and no1 tendency whatever to establish a criminal act. If, however, the legislature in prescribing the rules of evidence in any class of cases, leaves a party a fair opportunity to establish his case of defense, and give in evidence to the court or jury all the' facts legitimately bearing on the issues in the cause to be considered and weighed by the tribunal trying the same, such acts of the legislature are not unconstitutional, rt has been repeatedly held that the legislature has the right to declare what shall be presumptive or prima facie evidence of any fact.” Many cases are cited sustaining the text from Missouri, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, California and also 2 Rice on Evidence, Wharton’s Grim. Ev. and Black on Intox. Liq.

In an elaborate opinion by the Supreme Court of Illinois, construing a like statute to the one in Indiana, that court takes the same view of the law as did the Indiana court, in the case above cited. — Meadowcroft v. People, 163 Ill. 56, 67.

The Supreme Court of the.United States, in a case where the same question was considered, holds that such a rule is. within the acknowledged power of every legislature to prescribe the evidence which shall be received, and the effect of that evidence in the courts of its own creation. — Fong v. U. S., 149 U. S. 729.

If more were needed it may be found in 2 Wigmore on Ev. Sec. 1364 pp. 1670,1672.

Our attention has been called to but one case, that of Beswick v. People, 13 R. I. 211, which apparently announces a. rule in conflict with the authorities referred to. But, as said by the Supreme Court of Illinois in Meadowcroft v. People, supra, it seems to be against the weight of authority.'

We are, therefore, led to conclude that the court below erred in holding said amendatory act to be unconstitutional, and in not giving the charge requested by the state.

Reversed and remanded.

Dowdell, Anderson and Denson, JJ., concurring.