Reich v. State , 53 Ga. 73 ( 1874 )

McCay, Judge.

1. These pleas as to the oath of the grand jurymen are entirely too uncertain. They do not say what witnesses they .rejbr to, nor do they point out in what the oath was defective. Pleas ought always to present matter on which issue may be taken, and should contain such a statement as will notify to the opposite party what he has to meet.

2. We think the plea that one of the gfand jurors was not a citizen, is a good plea. Section 3916 of the Code clearly contemplates that a grand juryman must be a citizen, and whilst the constitution does not, in terms, require it, and only uses the word “persons,” yet there is nothing in this inconsistent with-the Code; and this has long been the law of this state. It was also the common law: 1 Chitty C. L., 307; 5 Bacon Ab., 312; 1 Bishop Criminal Law, 795; 3d Coke Inst., 34; 9 Texas, 65; 5 Porter, Ala., 484. So, too, we think the objection may be taken by special plea. There are some authorities seemingly to the effect that the challenge must be to the jury before bill filed; but it seems to us that this is unreasonable. How is a defendant to know that this secret inquest is proceeding to find a bill against him ? Whatever objections there may be to a grand juror that a party can make, ought (and this has always been the practice in this state,) to be made on the trial, and before pleading to the merits, and such, we think, was the practice in England: 1 Chitty C. Law, 307; Bacon Ab., Juries (a.) 727.

3. The power to punish for selling without license does not, in our judgment, include the power to punish for keeping open doors on Sunday. This may be committed though the offender have license, and the offense may be committed without any selling at all. The crime or misdemeanor consists in the offense the act gives to good citizens, and the breach of the quiet and orderly customs of the day.' It is a special offense, under the Code, and the power to punish for it having been assumed by the state, it does not belong to the city. The trial for the offense before the city court was, therefore, illegal*. The offense was a crime against the state, and not a mere breach of the city ordinances.

Judgment reversed on the ground as to'the alien grand juryman.