Lynde v. Noble

Woodworth, J., delivered the opinion of the Court» This is an application to quash the writ of certiorari, issued to remove certain proceedings, commenced under the “ act to amend the act concerning distresses, and for other purposes,” passed the 13th of April, 1820. Before the passing of this statute, the remedy to recover possession, where the tenant held over, was expensive and dilatory. The legislature have prescribed a summary proceeding, calculated to secure the rights of parties, and insure a speedy decision. This remedial act must be construed liberally, to carry into effect the intent, by suppressing the mischief, and advancing the remedy. If a certiorari will remove the proceedings into this Court, before a trial is had before the Judge authorized to try the question of possession, there is nothing gained by the statute ; for the tenant, by that course, may delay the landlord as long as he could before the passing of the act, and subject him to, at least, equal expense. Such a construction would, virtually, be a repeal of the statute. Its provisions would become useless, if the complaint, as soon as it was made before the magistrate, might be brought into this Court for trial. In the present case, JLynde made application for process, on the 12th of March ; a summons issued on that day; and the certiorari was allowed on the 13th of March, There had been no trial, order, or judgment. The sound construction of the statute is, that the proceedings must be conducted to trial and judgment, in the inferior tribunal. It is admitted, that this Court possess, by the common law, authority to award a certiorari, not only to inferior Courts, but to persons invested by the legislature with power to decide on the property or rights of the citizen. [83] even In cases where they are authorized by statute finally to hear and determine 5 and this power can only be taken away by express words, (Lawton v. Commissioners of Highways, 2 Caines' Rep. 182. 8 Term Rep. 542.) The necessity of a superintending power to revise the proceedings and correct the irregularities committed by inferior officers, cannot be questioned; this is its legitimate office 5 it does not, before trial, withdraw the question to be tried from the inferior jurisdiction, but may, subsequently, cause it to foe reviewed. When this certiorari was granted, there had been no order, judgment, or trial; the magistrate had performed a ministerial act only; he had administered an oath, and issued a summons. By allowing a certiorari, the superior tribunal would assume an original jurisdiction, instéad of a power to review and correct. I have not met with any case where, in a civil proceeding before an inferior magistrate, who has express jurisdiction by statute, a certiorari has been held to lie, to remove the issue or question to be tried by the magistrate to the Supreme Court. In 1 Bac. Abr. tit. Certiorari, 560. and 2 Hawk. P. C. ch. 27. s. 30. it is stated, as a good objection against granting a certiorari, that issue is joined, and a venire awarded for the trial in the Court below. It has been urged, that the practice in this case is analogous to that under the act to prevent forcible entries and detainers, where the proceedings may be removed into this Court for trial. It will he seen, however, that there is no analogy. The fifth section of that statute provides, that if the traverse taken by the person indicted, either before the Justice, or before the Justices of the Supreme Court, in case the proceedings be removed into the Supreme Court, before such trial, then restitution shall be allowed, in the same manner as if no plea or traverse had been put in by the person indicted.. It, also, provides for the payment of costs by the party convicted, to be assessed foy the Justices of the Supreme Court, if the proceedings shall be removed. The provisions of the act, by implication, allow a removal. The obvious construction is, that when a person is indicted, he has an election as to the Court before whom the traverse shall be tried. The statute evidently in [84] tended to confer that right, by prescribing the form of proceeding subsequent to removal. The uniform practice under it has been to issue a certiorari, of course, when applied for, without showing special cause. (People v. Runkel, 6 Johns. Rep. 334.) The statute is construed as authorizing the removal before trial. The common law does not extend to it: although the proceedings, in form, are of a criminal nature, it is only a civil remedy for the recovery of possession. Admitting, however, that, at common law, a certiorari would lie, to remove proceedings under the act to prevent forcible entries and detainers, it must rest on the ground that the proceeding, by indictment, is of criminal jurisdiction, and that this Court may award a certiorari to have any indictment removed and brought before itself. When applied for by a defendant, the Court have a discretionary power, on special cause shown, to grant or refuse it 3 but it is awarded, of right, at the instance of the King. (1 Bac. Abr. tit. Certiorari, 559.) It is evident that the writ is not issued on this ground, for no special cause is required to be shown. Whether the proceedings under the act to prevent forcible entries, are considered as merely a civil remedy, or of criminal jurisdiction, it is plain the certiorari is authorized by the statute. The case now before the Court is a civil proceeding only, where the party attempts, by certiorari allowed before trial, to evade the jurisdiction conferred by statute on the inferior tribunal. This practice cannot be supported ; and we are of opinion, that the writ of certiorari will not lie, to remove proceedings instituted under this statute, until the case is finally adjudicated; and even then it will not stay the writ of restitution, and, consequently, the certiorari must be quashed. Motion granted.