Graham v. Wayne Circuit Judge

Hooker, J.

The relator was sued in justice’s court in the city of Detroit. He appeared on the adjourned day, and stated that he had given a note for $61.50 in settlement of the account sued. This was denied by the plaintiff’s attorney, and the cause was adjourned to December 30th. Defendant not appearing upon December 30th, the cause was adjourned to December 33d, when defendant not appearing, judgment was rendered against him for $66 damages and $1.75 costs. The relator’s attorney learned of the rendition of the judgment upon the same day. On December 37th, that being the last of the five days allowed by the statute for an appeal, the relator appeared with his surety before the county clerk, and executed an appeal bond; the surety justifying before said officer. Relator then tendered the affidavit on appeal, and "bond, and the costs and fees provided by law, to the deputy clerk of the justice’s court, at the office of said clerk, hut he refused to receive the same, saying that it was no part of his business to receive appeal papers. On the morning of December 38th, at the opening of the justice’s court clerk’s office, relator made a similar tender to the clerk, who refused to receive the papers, upon the ground that the time for taking an appeal had passed, also claiming that its presentation at the office on the previous day was too late, because not done before 3:30 o’clock p. m., the closing hour of the office. Relator thereupon petitioned ■the circuit court for a mandamus to compel said clerk to receive and file said appeal. Upon hearing said application, the writ was denied upon the ground that the petitioner had the right to file his affidavit and bond on appeal with the justice who tried the case, or, in his absence, with some member of his family of suitable age at any time up to 13 o’clock at night on said 37th of December, but made no effort to do so, after his application to the deputy clerk. This denial occurred on January 3, 1906, and thereupon the relator applied to the circuit court for leave to take a special appeal, which was denied.

The present application was made in this court by petition, setting up the foregoing facts, and asking that the circuit judge be required to show cause why a peremptory mandamus from this court should not issue, requiring him to vacate the said orders, by him entered, affecting the petitioner’s rights of appeal from the judgment, and the petition contains a prayer for all other, further, or different orders to which the petitioner may appear entitled in the premises. Counsel have argued both questions in their briefs. Without deciding that litigants may not perfect their appeals from justices’ judgments, by filing the affidavits and bonds, and paying costs and fees required by law, in the office of the clerk, the court seems to have been of the opinion that the relator should have sought the-justice by whom, the judgment was rendered, and that, failing to do so, he was not entitled to any relief. . The petitioner’s practice is open to criticism.

The mandamus sought in the circuit court was denied, upon a hearing, and to review the order of that court, certiorari should have been asked under Sup. Ct. Rule 13. Instead of taking this course, counsel then applied to the circuit court for leave to take a special appeal. Mandamus is a proper writ by' which to review the latter order, but we have not encouraged the practice of asking a. mandamus to compel a circuit judge to vacate the order made in a mandamus case. Under the general law, the party who would appeal from a justice’s judgment must seek the justice, and file the necessary papers, etc., with him, if found, and with some member of the family, if he cannot be found. The statute regulating (to some extent) the practice in Detroit, is Act No. 475 of the Local Acts, of 1903. That act provides for four justices and one clerk, who is to act as clerk for all four justices. He is to have one or more deputies, who shall be under the control and direction of said clerk, and shall perform such duties as he shall direct. There is nothing in that act authorizing an appeal by filing appeal papers in any other way than that prescribed by the general act, except in the matter of the payment of costs, fees, etc. Section 33 provides:

“Before any affidavit for appeal * * * shall be served on any one of said justices, in addition to the fees allowed by law for making returns to an appeal * * * the entry fee * * * shall be paid to the said clerk.”

To effect an appeal, it was therefore necessary for relator to make payment to the clerk, and then present the affidavit and bond to the justice who tried the case, or, if he could not be found, leave it at his residence in compliance with the general law. 1 Comp. Laws, §§ 903, 904 et seq.

At the time that relator tendered the papers and the costs, etc., at the office of the clerk, it was past the closing hour, and the only deputy there was one who was not authorized to act. Relator had still several hours within which to find and pay the money to the clerk, and present his affidavit and bond to the justice. Apparently he made no effort to do so, and therefore he was not entitled to leave to take a special appeal under the general law. 1 Comp. Laws, § 909.

The writ is denied, with costs.

Carpenter, C. J., and McAlvay, Grant, and Moore, JJ., concurred.