Rarick v. McManomon

17 Pa. Super. 154 | Pa. Super. Ct. | 1901

Opinion by

Rice, P. J.,

This was an action of trespass brought against the city of Scranton and Patrick McManoman, a police officer. The summons was duly served on the city but not on McManoman. The city solicitor entered a general appearance for both defendants and subsequently pleaded the general issue. Two years after the issuing of the summons the case was called for trial and the jury sworn as to both defendants. The learned trial judge in his opinion refusing a new trial says that the appellant was present when the jury was selected and sworn. He was intrusted with the subpoenaing of the witnesses, and immediately after the opening of the plaintiff’s case was called, as a defendant, for cross-examination. At a later stage in the trial he was recalled for the same purpose. After the plaintiff had ■ closed his case and considerable evidence had been introduced by the defendants, McManoman was called to the stand to testify in his own behalf. Up to this time no intimation had been made that he was not properly in court, but on the following day he presented to the court an affidavit in which he alleged, that he had no knowledge until that morning that he was a party defendant, that he appeared in court as a witness in obedience to a subpoena, that he never authorized any attorney to appear for him, and that he was not in court when the jury were sworn, and did not know that they were sworn as to him. It is urged that upon the presentation of this affidavit it was the duty of the court to continue the case.

Assuming for a moment that such motion was made and refused, and that the appellant excepted to the ruling, neither of which things appears of record, no error was committed which would justify a reversal of the judgment. A motion to continue a cause is addressed to the sound discretion of the court, and its action is not ordinarily reviewable on appeal. The reason is plain. The evidence presented to the court is not part of the record, and where the motion is based on allegations of fact not disclosedby the record, the decision of the court must necessarily be conclusive. This is such a case. The entry of an appearance by an attorney carries with it the prima facie presumption that it was entered by authority. The business of the courts could not be carried on if this were not so. In the present case the presumption was very much strengthened by the appellant’s apparent acquiescence in the proceedings. It was incumbent upon him to explain his silence and to satisfy the court of the truth of the allegations of his petition, and he must abide by its decision. The first, second and third assignments of error are overruled.

The fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh assignments of error relate to the legality of the act of the defendant in arresting the plaintiff and confining him in the lockup for an offense not committed in his view. The general rule is that upon reasonable suspicion, founded either on his own knowledge or the information of others, that a felony, or such breach of the peace as will probably prove to be a felony, has been committed, an officer may arrest without a warrant. It is equally well settled that he cannot arrest for an ordinary misdemeanor, unless present at the commission of the offense. The contention is, that if the misdemeanor amounts to a breach of the peace an officer has the same authority as in oases of felony. This is true if the arrest is made upon view, but if not, the right to arrest without warrant is exceptional and not the general rule. In some of the text books, and also in adjudicated cases the terms “ breach of the peace ” have been construed to include any offense involving a violation of “ public decorum,” and it has been said that for such offenses an officer may arrest without a warrant: Davis v. Burgess, 54 Mich. 514. Unquestionably an officer may arrest one in the act of committing such an offense as is alleged in the present case or of committing like offenses against public decency and morality: 1 Arch. C. PL 26, n. 2; State v. Freeman, 86 N. C. 688. None of the cases, however, which have been called to our attention go to the extent of giving to the officer authority to arrest without a warrant for every offense involving a violation of public decorum not committed in his view. Nor is it necessary to the public security that such should be recognized as the general rule. It may be expected that a felon will flee from justice, if an opportunity is afforded him, and that if he knows he is suspected he will do what may be in his power to obliterate the evidences of his crime. In these circumstances are found forcible reasons for prompt action in his arrest. The public safety, and due apprehension of criminals charged with heinous crimes, imperiously require that such arrest should be made without a warrant by officers of the law making fresh pursuit on reliable information: McCarthy v. De Armit, 99 Pa. 63; Brooks v. Commonwealth, 61 Pa. 352. The same reasons do not exist for conceding the right to arrest without warrant for a past misdemeanor not committed in the view of the officer, which in the discretion of the court may be punishable only by a fine. We conclude that the rulings of the court below as to the legality of the arrest were right both upon reason and- authority. These assignments are overruled.

We do not think it clear that the entry in the book referred to in the eighth assignment of error was such a record as is contemplated by section 3, article 7 of the act of 1889; but whether it was so or not, all the facts that could have been proved by it, namely, that the plaintiff was fined by the mayor, were proved otherwise, and were admitted by the plaintiff. This assignment is overruled.

Finding no error in the record the judgment is affirmed.