58 Ga. App. 138 | Ga. Ct. App. | 1938
Certain slot machines which were being operated in the plaintiff's place of business in Americus, Georgia, and which contained money that had been played therein by various parties, were seized by two deputy sheriffs, the defendants. The plaintiff brought a petition asking for a rule to require the defendants to deliver this money to him. The judge held that the plaintiff was entitled to recover the amount of money contained in the two slot machines at the time of the seizure, and accordingly a verdict was rendered in favor of the plaintiff. The sole question for determination is: Where a slot machine that is being operated by a person in his place of business, and which contains money that has been played therein, is seized by officers, can the owner thereof recover from the officers the money contained in the slot machine at the time of the seizure? Slot machines are designed and used for gaming and gambling purposes, and ordinarily can not be used for any lawful purpose. It is apparently conceded that the slot machines here involved were being operated in violation of law when they were seized. They were contraband and subject to be held by the officers for evidence against the owner or operator, or to be confiscated and destroyed. Their design and purpose were for an illegal, not a legal use. But this is not true with money. Its ordinary and customary use is not only lawful, but in most cases absolutely necessary. Its purpose and object are
Judgment affirmed.