In re the Habeas Corpus of Barnett

Beady, J.: The question presented by this appeal is, whether the petitioner is entitled to costs because, as is insisted, this is a special proceeding, and, therefore, within the provisions of the act of the legislature passed in 1854 (Laws 1854, p. 593, chap. 270, § 3), which declared that costs may be allowed, in the discretion of the court, in special proceedings, and, where so allowed, shall be at the rate allowed for similar proceedings in civil actions. The learned justice who disposed of this matter thought costs should be awarded the petitioner and allowed them. The respondent below appeals. There is no adjudicated case in which costs have been allowed in proceedings on habeas corpus. The writ is one of right, and it has not been heretofore trammeled by any consequences, other than the failure [470] to obtain the object in view when it was applied for, which, sometimes occurs. It is, nevertheless, a special proceeding when it is made returnable in court and where, as in this case, it called into exercise the ordinary machinery of the court of law such as the appointment of a referee to take the testimony, the examination of witnesses pro and con. and the subsequent hearing in due form in court on the whole evidence ■ and the decision of the court thereupon. The Court of Appeals have held that a certiorari to review summary proceedings between landlord and tenant was a special proceeding under the act of 1854, supra, and that to the successful party costs might be awarded. (The People v. Boardman, 4 Keyes, 59.) In kindred matters, the same doctrine has been promulgated. (In the Matter of, etc., Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad Company v. Davis, 55 N. Y., 145 ; In the Matter of Dodd, 27 id., 629; People ex rel. Van Rensselaer v. Van Alstyne, 3 Keyes, 35, and cases cited; People ex rel. Latorre v. O'Brien 3 Abb. Court of Appeals Cases, 559; In the Matter of the Bowery Extension, 12 How. Pr. Rep., 99.) In the Matter of Dodd, it was suggested that in order to make proceedings special under the act in question there must be a ligitation in court. In this case there were proceedings by contest as already stated. Although the writ of habeas corpus is a writ of right, and sacred to the cause and principles of liberty, it may nevertheless be abused or the remedy which it is issued to accomplish unjustly refused by the respondent. The writ in other words may be sued out vexatiously, or the refusal to surrender the person detained may be equally vexatious. Whether either of these features exist it is for the court to judge, and hence the discretion which must be called into play before costs can be awarded. If there be reasonable ground to warrant an application for the writ no costs should follow. If there be reasonable grounds for refusing to surrender the person a like result would ensue. This was doubtless all considered by the legislature when the subject of special proceedings was considered and passed upon, and in view of their character including the habeas corpus the conclusion was adopted to vest in the court conducting them a discretion to allow or disallow costs. In this case the costs would seem to have been justly awarded and the order granting them should be sustained. The costs allowed embrace, however, only the items for proceedings [471] after petition and before trial and disbursements. (55 N. Y., Rep., sufra, 147.) Tbe order appealed from must be modified in tbis respect, therefore and as modified affirmed without costs. Davis, P. J\, and Daniels, <L, concurred. Order modified as directed in opinion, and affirmed as modified without costs.