33 La. Ann. 1293 | La. | 1881
The opinion of the Oourt was delivered by
On the 28th of October, 1881, the relator obtained a judgment before a justice of the peace, in the parish of Point Ooupee, against one Mac Johnson,'for sixty dollars and interest. From this judgment the defendant in the case appealed to the District Oourt of said parish, presided over by the Hon. John Yoist, defendant in the present proceeding.
After the appeal was filed in the appellate court, the relator’s attorney filed an exception alleging that the District Judge, Hon. John Yoist, had a personal interest in the result of the suit, and moved for his recusation. The judge having refused to recuse himself, and the relator fearing that he would proceed to try the case and pronounce judgment therein, applied to this Oourt for a writ of prohibition, to restrain him from further proceedings. An alternative writ having been granted, the defendant judge has made answer, and denies having any interest in the case.
The Code of Practice, Art. 337, defines recusation thus :
“ Recusation is the refusal on the part of the defendant to have his cause tried by the judge before whom he has been sued, on account of the ties of relationship existing between such judge and the plaintiff, or for other just causes hereafter expressed.”
Among other causes expressed, is that of a judge, being interested in the cause. For such cause, either party may challenge or move the recusation of the judge.
When a refusal has thus been made to the judge’s trying the cause, on account' of interest, that refusal must be respected by the judge. He must either admit his disqualification and enter up the order of recusation or deny it, and thereby raise an issue touching his right to try the case. If he pursues the latter course, it is plain to see that he could not legally decide that issue himself. Assuming that he is interested— as charged — -that interest would prompt him to declare himself not inter
To hold otherwise, would be to render this important right of recusation or challenge nugatory and worthless.
From this it clearly follows, that the trial and overruling of the exception by the defendant judge touching his recusation, and any and all other proceedings thereafter are null and void.
For.these reasons, the writ of prohibition is made peremptory at the cost of the defendant.