Matter of Murphy

97 P. 188 | Cal. | 1908

In view of the amendment to section 1476 of the Penal Code, adopted in 1905 (Stats. 1905, p. 476), empowering the court or judge who directs the issuance of a writ of habeas corpus to admit the prisoner to bail pending the determination of the proceeding, the order for the issuance of the writ in this case furnishes a proper occasion for a statement by the court of its views concerning the return to be made to the writ where the prisoner has been set at liberty upon filing an undertaking of sureties or depositing cash before the return day of the writ.

In such case it is obvious that the officer who had the custody of the prisoner cannot produce his body in court in obedience to the writ, and that he can do no more than to show by his return that his prisoner has been enlarged under the terms of the court's order. For the purpose of making such return it is equally obvious that the personal attendance of the officer is not required.

As to the prisoner himself, he can always attend, at his own expense, if he so desires, but in the view of the court his attendance — when he is at large upon bail — is no longer necessary in order to confer jurisdiction, for the amendment under which he has given bail has necessarily superseded sections 1481, 1482 of the Penal Code, and for jurisdictional purposes has substituted his undertaking or cash deposit for his personal presence. We make this announcement of our views regarding this matter in order that the counties and municipalities of the state may no longer feel obliged in this class of cases to incur and defray the useless expense of transporting prisoners or officers to and from the place where the court is sitting.

BEATTY, C.J. SLOSS, J. ANGELLOTTI, J. SHAW, J. HENSHAW, J. LORIGAN, J.