Hoyer v. Town of Mascoutah

Mr. Justice Scott delivered the opinion of the Court: This was an action originally commenced before a justice of the peace by the town of Mascoutah against the plaintiff in error, for an alleged violation of an ordinance of said town. A trial was had before the justice of the peace, Avhich resulted in a judgment against the plaintiff in error, from which he prayed an appeal to the circuit court, and filed his bond in accordance Avitli. the provisions of the statute alloAving appeals in cíauI suits. At the October term of the circuit court of St. Clair county, A. D. 1870, the counsel for the defendant in error entered a motion to dismiss the appeal, on two grounds: 1st, that, inasmuch as this was a prosecution for assault and battery, under the ordinances of the town, the appeal bond Avas insufficient in not containing a condition providing for the payment of a judgment that might be rendered upon a plea of guilty ; and, 2d, that the appeal bond Avas entered into before and filed Avitli the justice of the peace Avho tried the cause, and was not éntered into before and filed Avitli the clerk of the circuit court, as the statute directs in cases of assault and battery. The plaintiffs in error asked leave to amend the appeal bond, Avhich leave the court refused to grant, and dismissed the appeal. The decision of the court, refusing leave to amend the appeal bond, and dismissing the appeal, is now assigned for error. It has been repeatedly held by this court, that a proceeding to collect a penalty for the violation of a toAvn ordinance is a civil suit. Such a penalty can not be recovered in any criminal proceeding. Town of Jacksonville v. Block, 36 Ill. 507; Graubner v. City of Jacksonville, 50 Ill. 87. The fact that the offense charged was assault and battery, does not change the character of the proceedings. It is still a civil suit. The town only acquires jurisdiction because the offense is prohibited by ordinance. In all such cases appeals must be allowed and perfected under the provisions of the statute allowing appeals in civil cases before a justice of the peace. If the appeal bond should "be found to be defective, it is the duty of the court to allow amendments as in civil actions. For the reasons indicated, the judgment is reversed and the cause remanded. Judgment reversed.