235 P. 338 | Colo. | 1925
THIS is a case which was originally instituted in a justice court in Gunnison county. There was, in that court, a judgment for defendant, W. S. Spain, and the costs were taxed against the plaintiff, Joe Murry. The plaintiff then attempted to take an appeal to the county court. He paid no costs, but filed an affidavit with the justice of the peace wherein he alleged that he is a poor person. It is stated *198 in the briefs, though it does not appear in the record, that a similar affidavit was filed in the county court. The record shows that the county court permitted plaintiff to prosecute an appeal from the justice court without filing any bond, anywhere, or paying any costs. The defendant appeared specially in the county court and filed a motion to dismiss the appeal upon the ground that no bond had been filed and no costs paid. The motion was overruled. Upon trial in the county court there was a judgment for plaintiff. Defendant brings the case here on error, and applies for a supersedeas. Error is assigned to the court's overruling of the motion to dismiss the appeal.
It has been held that the failure to enter into and file the proper bond, on appeal, gives the county court no jurisdiction, and such court should dismiss the appeal either on its own of the appellee's motion. Horn v. Martin,
Both sides argue the question whether the statute permitting the prosecution of actions as a poor person applies to appeals from the justice court to the county court, so as to dispense with the necessity of filing any appeal bond or paying any costs or fees. The statute in question is section 6592, C. L. 1921, reading as follows: "If any court shall, before or after the commencement of any suit, be satisfied that the plaintiff is a poor person, and unable to prosecute his or her suit, and pay the costs and expenses thereof, they may in their discretion permit him to commence and prosecute his action as a poor person; and thereupon such person shall have the necessary writs, process, and proceedings, as in other cases, without charge; and if the plaintiff recover judgment, there shall be a judgment for his costs."
In 35 C. J. 757, it is said: "The general rule is that any party desiring to appeal from * * * a judgment of a justice must give the required security. * * * In some jurisdictions a person unable to give a bond through poverty may be allowed to appeal upon making the affidavit *199 required by statute, but in other jurisdictions such practice does not obtain."
In State ex rel. Childrens v. Delano,
In Graham v. Sparlan,
While cases may be found on both sides (3 C. J. 1124), we are in agreement with the cases herein before cited. They are consistent with Ferrara v. Auric Min. Co.,
The county court erred in not dismissing the appeal. The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded with directions to dismiss the appeal.
MR. JUSTICE CAMPBELL and MR. JUSTICE SHEAFOR concur. *200