Saunders v. State , 86 Tex. Crim. 413 ( 1919 )

This cause is before us on writ of error, complaining of judgment entered on a forfeited bail bond. The plaintiff in error was a surety, and H.B. Porter the principal upon the bond.

The bond was executed by the principal, Porter, and by George Beck, Dan Skeams, and Owen Saunders as sureties, and the forfeiture and judgment nisi is against each of them as is also the final judgment. Citation, however, appears to have been issued for all but only served on Beck. The final judgment is by default, and the absence of service upon the plaintiffs in error renders the judgment voidable on writ of error. The statute, Article 502, Code of Crim. Procedure, provides for a default judgment "when the sureties have been duly cited and fail to answer, and the principal also fails within the time for answering in other civil actions." Other articles provide for citation and service. See Arts. 491 and 492.

The judgment recites that all were served. This recital would prevail against the sheriff's return on the citation in a collateral attack upon the judgment. Not so, however, when, as in the present case, the attack is a direct one. Burditt v. Howth,45 Tex. 466; Carlton v. Miller, 21 S.W. Rep., 697; See Rose's Notes on Texas Reports, vol. 2, p. 641.

The error pointed out requires a reversal and remanding of the cause, which is ordered.

Reversed and remanded.