Mason v. Richards

12 Iowa 73 | Iowa | 1861

Weight, J.

There are several errors assigned, but they all resolve themselves in this one, whether Richards the surety is liable on the bond, there being no order for the return of the property in the replevin suit.

The bond is in the usual form, and conditioned, as required by the statute, that Mobley will appear at the néxt term of the court and prosecute his suit to judgment, and return the property, if a return be awarded, and also pay all costs and damages that may be awarded against him.

That the proper judgment in an action of replevin, as a general rule, when the plaintiff fails to maintain his action, is for a return of the property to the defendant, both at common law and under the statute, is settled by the cases of Chadwick v. Miller, 6 Iowa 38 ; Jansen et al. v. Effey, 10 Ib. 227. Suppose, however, no such order is made, but the court finds the value of the property and renders judgment therefor against the plaintiff, does such judgment, though irregular, have the effect of changing the liability of the surety in an action on the bond? Or in other words, is it necessary in order to make him liable upon his bond, for the breach now under consideration, that a judgment de retorno habendo should first be entered? We think not.

The District Court could enter no judgment against the surety in the original suit, (Jansen v. Effey, supra,) for he was not in court. The plaintiff, and principal in the bond, was in court, however, and over, him the court had jurisdiction. Eor whatever judgment the court had the power to render against him, though ever so erroneous, until reversed or set aside, he would be bound. And as a judgment erroneous merely would be binding upon him, so it would be upon his surety in an action on the bond. Or to illustrate this general statement of the rule, by its application to the case before us: It was erroneous to render a judgment for the value of the property, against Mobley, instead of an order for its return. That judgment however, though irregular, is binding upon Mobley. True, it misconstrues the statute, in fixing the defendant’s damages and yet it is not void. And though Richards was not in court, in such a sense that a judgment could be entered against him for the amount thus found, yet he has, by the terms of the bond, bound himself for the payment of all costs and damages adjudged against his principal, and an order for the return of the property was not essential to entitle plaintiff, in this action, to recover such damages.

Judgment Affirmed.