91 Ala. 390 | Ala. | 1890
Proceedings in bastardy are said to be quasi-criminal, but they are not strictly so. In their nature, they partake somewhat of the qualities of a civil suit, and, to some extent, of a criminal prosecution.—State, ex rel. v. Hunter, 67 Ala. 81; Dorgan v. State, 72 Ala. 173; Smith v. State, 73 Ala. 11. Maintenance and education of illegitimate offspring, born or to be born, are its purposes and policy. It is instituted by affidavit and warrant of arrest; preliminary investigation is had before a committing magistrate, and the case is sent up to the Circuit Court for trial, if the testimony justify
The money in controversy in the present suit was collected on defendant’s forfeited bond, which he gave for his appearance at the Circuit Court.—Code, §§ 4844,4849. The interest on the sum collected was and is payable to the illegitimate child.—Ib. § 4861. On the death of the child, or intermarriage of the parents, “the portion of such judgment paid into the county treasury” must, it would seem, be returned to the defendant.—Ib. § 4864. But we need not, and do not, decide this question.
The present record is silent on many important inquiries. It is not shown whether any trial has been had in the Circuit Court, whether the child is living or dead, whether or not the parents have intermarried, nor whether the interest or any other part of the money has been paid to the child. Nor is it shown whether or not á bond has been given under section 4854 of the Code. On the facts shown, we feel no hesitancy in declaring that the fund sought to be recovered in this suit is not a part of the fine and forfeiture fund which the plaintiff can subject to his demand.
Affirmed.