State v. Parker

1 D. Chip. 298 | Vt. | 1814

Chipman Ch. J.

Had I any doubt in this case, as I am alone on the bench, I should postpone the decision; but as I think it a very clear point, 1 will put neither the publick nor the prisoner to-any further expense by delay.

The precedents of indictments for forgery are uniform on this point. — The instrument charged to be forged is set forth in words and figures, in all the numerous precedents which have been produced; and all the authorities hold it necessary, unless in certain ex? cepted cases ; one of which is where the instrument charged to have been forged is in the possession of the person charged with the forgery. In such case, it is sufficient to des'cribe the instrument, in t[ie same manner in which it is described in this indictment, omitting to set it forth in words and figures; but the fact that the instrument is in the hands of the person charged, which brings the case withia the exception, must be charged in the indictment. The common law authorities are collected, and the doctrine on this point is ably commented upon by Judge Sedgewick in the case cited from the 8 Mass. Rep. 107- There is certainly great reason for adhering strictly to these principles; the subject in which the offence is charged to have been committed, ought, in reason, to be set forth with great precision, that there may be no mistake in the proof — no possibility of substituting one thing for another; that the accused may know precisely what he has to meet — how to prepare his defence^ and how to direct his evidence. This is a right of the accused at common law — that common law which the fathers of our revolution claimed as their birth-right, and which was secured to us by the event of that revolution. The framers of our constitution constantly kept it in view, and almost the first act of our State Legislature was to declare “that so much of the common law of England, as is applicable to our local circumstances, and is not repugnant to the constitution, or any particular act of the Legislature of this State, be and is adopted as law within this State, and all Courts are to take notice thereof and govern themselves accordingly.” It is from this source, the common law, that we. derive rules and maxims not only for the construction of our statutes, but of the constitution itself: and, with the limitation expressed, it is the rule of property and the security of our rights; and furnishes to the Courts, in all cases, civil and criminal, a rule of decision. The Courts can no more deprive a person, prosecuted for a crime, of a common law right, than they can deprive him of a statute or constitutional right: modes of practice merely they may alter, for the more safe and easy attainment of the ends of justice, so that they do not infringe any essential right.

But, it is urged that this form of indictment lias been in use in this State for more than thirty years — that is, almost from the cominencement of the government; that there have been no decisions against it, and that it ought now to be considered as the common law of Vermont established by usage. That laws affecting essential rights, should, by custom, originate in our Courts, independent of the constitution and laws enacted by statute, and in opposition to the principles and maxims of the common law so called, is a thing I cannot understand. It is a doctrine which ought not to be countenanced in this Court. If admitted, we should soon, instead of a system formed and matured by the experience of ages, have a crude undigested mass, or rather farago of opinions, adopted through indolence or want of present information, and adopted and continued in practice, mostly from the same causes. And where are the Courts to look for this common law of Vermont ? Not to the authority of decided cases, nor to the writings of the ancient sages of the law, approved through a succession of ages. — No, we must resort for the most part to the fallible memory of the Judges, or members of the bar, or to crude precedents of forms, which may in some Counties, by chance, have long passed without exception, and without notice — I say, in some Counties, because I have observed that in several Counties, indictments are drawn with a scrupulous adherence to the most approved precedents of the common law.

I would not have it understood, by any thing which 1 have said, that this Court is limited by the precedents of decided cases, at common law, or the researches of the numerous and profound commentators, The common law, exclusive of positive law, enacted by statute, depends on principles. Precedents and maxims, serve to embody and illustrate principles, to give them a fixed certainty, and afford a facility in applying them to cases as they arise, not coming within any former precedents. I conceive that these principles will be found amply sufficient for their decision, while they preserve the analogy and symetry of the system. The only difficulty lies in applying the proper principle, and in applying it with a due regard to analogy, which is the connecting link, and, indeed, the sine qua non of every other system, as well as that of law; and, without which, instead oí a system, we should have merely a catalogue of individual cases, affording no illustration of principles — no data for general conclusions.

It is true that a common error sometimes establishes a common right: indeed, it is a maxim of the common law. Such cases there are> where an error, first admitted, has introduced a general custom, involving property and individual rights; such custom becomes a law to the Court, and can be superceded by act of the Legislature onjy_ On this ground, it is suggested, that a decision against the indictment, in this casé, will affect the rights of the State, derived under a long practice, and may affect former convictions which have been had on similar indictments. But it is impossible to conceive that the State can, under such a practice, become general, and without exception, which it certainly has not in this case, or been of ever so long a continuance, have acquired any right, or can have any interest in the support of such indictment, in violation of the guaranteed rights of the citizen, the rights of -the common law, which can be varied only by the constitution of government, or by a sovereign act of the Legislature.

As to former convictions which have been had in this Court, there is no provision of law by which they can be corrected or reversed— they will not be effected — they will remain in full force,

I have extended my observations further than the case under consideration seems to require, because the same argument has before been urged in this Court, and I must say has, at times, received too much countenance, claiming the privilege of this same common law of Vermont, in favour of analogous practices, affecting essential principles, on the ground that the abuse has been suffered long to be continued.

In every view which I have been able to take of this subject, the indictment ought not to be sustained; it is a departure from ancient and established precedents — is condemned by all authorities, both ancient and modern, and violates the most settled principles of law. Let the prisoner be discharged.