Finney v. Hill , 11 Vt. 233 ( 1839 )

Williams, Ch. J.

From the exceptions, it appears that Hill recovered judgment against Finney on the 26th of Nov. 1836, before a justice of the peace ; that Finney sent his son to appear for him and take an appeal. The bail was not entered in season, probably from a misapprehension of-the requirements of the statute, and execution issued for the amount of the judgment rendered by the justice. To be relieved from this judgment and execution, Finney preferred the present petition. Hill, on the return of the petition, moved to dismiss it for two reasons : 1st, that the court were not authorized to sustain the petition for the reasons therein set forth; and, 2nd, that the petitioner had not filed with the court a certified copy of the records of the justice’s judgment, according to the direction of the statute.

The latter reason is not sufficient. A principal object of requiring the records to be produced is, that they may become a part of the files of the court in case the judgment of the justice is set aside. Should they become necessary, previously to the hearing of the petition, the court would undoubtedly order them to be filed or dismiss the petition. But, if not wanted for that purpose, the court can make an order for their production at such time as they think proper. This is not such a positive requirement in the statute that the court were bound to dismiss the petition, because the copies were not filed.

The other reason presents a more formidable objection to the proceedings of the county court. Hill had obtained a judgment, which was final and conclusive between the parties thereto, and could only be reversed, vacated or set aside by some proceeding known to the law. He has never acquiesced in the proceedings of the county court. It appears that he not only excepted to the decision of the county court refusing to dismiss the petition, but objected to any judgment to account being rendered against him or any auditor being appointed, and excepted to the decision of the court rendering such judgment. It remains then to be seen whether he was correct in his views of the statute, and whether this court can re-examine the proceedings of the county court.

It is veiy obvious that the county court cannot set aside a judgment rendered by a justice of the peace, unless authorized so to do by law. The common law does not give them any such powers, and it is claimed in this case only as given by the statute of 1829. On referring to the statute, it is evident that it makes no provision for a case like the present. The judgment of the justice was not rendered by default, and the party deprived of his day in court by fraud, accident or mistake, for he appeared and consented to a judgment against himself. Nor has he been wrongfully and unjustly deprived of a hearing in the action or in the assessment of damages. He might have been heard either in defence or in the assessment of damages. If he was not heard, it was because he did not request it. Nor was any appeal illegally refused, as the appeal, if he had entered bail, would have been allowed. And, although it would seem from the report of the auditor that the judgment was for a much larger sum than was due, yet, if proper, attention had been paid to the action, this would not have happened. We are of opinion that the statute does not afford relief in a case like the present. The only remaining question is, whether this court can re-examine the proceedings of the county court. It is true, that the judgments of the county court on questions addressed purely to their discretion, as in granting or refusing continuances or new trials, cannot be re-examined here. But, when they attempt to act or exercise an authority in a case not within their jurisdiction, or where no authority is given, their proceedings may be revised. Here they set aside a judgment of a justice^ of the peace, and proceeded to render judgment in a case not legally before them. Their proceedings under the petition were erroneous, as the statute gave them no authority in this case. The judgment of the county court must therefore be reversed, and the petition be dismissed.

R. R. Thrall, for petitionee. S. Foot, for petitioner.