156 Iowa 210 | Iowa | 1912
This is the third appearance of the case before this court. Opinions on the other appeals will be found in 144 Iowa, 98, and 150 Iowa, 27. In these two opinions it was held there was enough testimony to take the case to the jury upon every issue tendered on the last trial in the district court save one, and that was a plea to the effect that the criminal proceeding was settled and dismissed at plaintiff’s instance and request, and that, having been so disposed of, the action was not determined in such a manner as to entitle plaintiff to sue for malicious prosecution. That question was argued on the second appeal, but we did not decide it, because no such issue was '"made by the pleadings as they then stood. To the issue thus tendered on the last trial plaintiff filed a reply in which he denied the alleged settlement, and further pleaded that the money which he paid to defendant or its agent was obtained from him by duress, that the payment was involuntary and against his will and, because of his then imprisonment, that the payment was under protest and with knowledge on the part of the defendant Text-Book Company that he did not owe it anything. After hearing plaintiff’s testimony, the trial court thought the showing conclusive against a right to recover, and it refused to submit the issue of the nature of the payment to the jury.
But in many of these cases exceptions are created to the effect that the settlement must have been voluntary and understandingly made. For instance, in Morton v. Young, supra, the Supreme Court of Maine said, among other things:
The same legal consequences do not follow acts done under duress of arrest and protest as when done freely and voluntarily, under the abuse as under the legitimate use of legal process. Suppose that, instead of settling the defendant’s demand, the plaintiff had given him a deed or bond, how could he defend an action brought on*215 such instrument if the fact of his giving it is conclusive evidence that the defendant had a valid claim against him ? Is the plaintiff the worse off for having paid his money than he would have been if he had given a deed or bond to' get his liberty? . . . There is nothing in principle, and we have not found anything in authority, which places a' party upon less favorable footing who pays his money to procure his release from arrest on a groundless suit than he who gives his bond or deed for the same purpose. If he may avoid the latter, he may recover the former. . . . The law does not make successful wrong a shield to protect its perpetrator from liability to afford redress to the injured party. If tire wrongdoer has his hour of triumph, his hour of retribution is sure to come at last. The man who falsely, maliciously, and without probable cause sues out a process, arrests another, and compels him to pay money to procure his liberty commits a wrong for which the law affords the sufferer redress in damages. The suing out of legal process is an abuse of. the law to cover the fraud, the very wrong which the action for malicious prosecution was instituted to redress. It would be a reproach upon the law if it should allow the payment of the money thus wrongfully and illegally extorted from the plaintiff to have any legal effect against him. In Watkins v. Baird, 6 Mass. 506 (4 Am. Dec. 170) the court, Parsons, C. J., held, not only that a deed given to procure the deliverance of a party from unlawful arrest' and imprisonment on a groundless claim was void, but that an action of malicious prosecution might properly be maintained. Pierce v. Thompson, 6 Pick. (Mass.) 193.
Again in Marcus v. Bernstein, 117 N. C. 31 (23 S. E. 38), the Supreme Court of North Carolina said:
In Langford v. Railroad Co., 144 Mass. 431, 11 N. E. 697), it was held that: ‘Where a nol pros, is entered by the procurement of the party prosecuted, or by his consent, or by way of compromise, such party can not have an action for malicious prosecution.' We do not think, however, that the facts in the present case make an exception to the general rule. The plaintiff protested all the time that his arrest was malicious and without just cause,*216 There was no compromise, as the plaintiff only paid his debt, which he was in duty bound to do, and the defendant paid the cost of prosecution. This was the arrangement or agreement, and nothing appears to show that the plaintiff procured the nol. pros., any more than that the defendant entered it on his own motion. . In fact, his paying the costs rather indicates his desire to have a ‘stet processus,’ as it is called in the early books, and also indicates that his action was instituted more for the purpose of collecting his debts than because of any criminal offense, or from any patriotic motive, which purpose can receive no sanction in this court, and should not be encouraged in any court. It is an unauthorized mode of the strong controlling the weak. ‘Procure’ means ‘to contrive, to bring about, to effect, to cause.’ Webst. Diet. ‘Procure’ means action, and the nol. pros, must have been at the instance or request of the plaintiff. If it can not be seen at whose instance the dismissal was entered, then the general rule prevails, because the reason and the grounds npon which the exception is based do not appear.
In Robbins v. Robbins, 123 N. Y. 597 (30 N. E. 977), the Court of Appeals of New York said:
The rule, requiring that before an action for malicious prosecution can lie maintained the plaintiff is bound to show a termination of the criminal proceeding, has for its foundation that it can not be known that the prosecution was unjust or unfounded until it is terminated; and, if the action for malicious prosecution were allowed to be maintained before the termination of the criminal proceeding, the plaintiff might be found guilty in that proceeding and yet maintain her action for malicious prosecution on the ground that she was not guilty, and that the defendant had no probable cause to believe her guilty; and thus there might be two conflicting determinations as to the same transaction. The law so far encourages criminal complaints as to protect the- complainant against a civil action for damages in case the criminal proceeding, fairly conducted, results in the conviction of the person charged with crime. Such conviction, fairly obtained, without fraud or conspiracy, is held to be conclusive evidence of probable cause. But where the criminal proceed*217 ing is terminated favorably to tbe accused, or without his conviction, so that there can be no further prosecution of the alleged offense without the commencement of a new proceeding, then there has been a sufficient termination thereof to enable him, proving the other requisite facts, to maintain an action for a malicious prosecution. It .can not, in reason, make any differénce how the criminal prosecution is terminated, provided it is terminated and at an end. Take a ease like this: A poor and helpless woman is arrested, and the police justice informs her, before he makes his final decision, that he is inclined to hold her to bail, and- she, being friendless and unable to furnish bail, promises good behavior in the future if he will discharge her, and then he enters a discharge. What reason can there be for holding, in such a case, if she can show that the criminal proceeding was instituted maliciously and without probable cause, that she may not maintain her action for malicious prosecution? The circumstances under which she was discharged may furnish competent evidence upon the issue of probable cause and malice and on the question of damages; but proof that the discharge was made under such circumstances can not, upon principle, furnish an absolute bar to the action. The motive of the judge or justice in making the discharge is wholly immaterial. The real foundation of the action is the malicious prosecution without probable cause, and -the termination of the criminal proceeding is a mere technical matter, in no way concerning the merits of the action, and is a mere condition precedent to its maintenance. Therefore any termination such as we have above mentioned as a general rule furnishes the condition precedent.
Some of the expressions found in this opinion we do not approve, for to our minds they carry the rule too far. We cite the case for what it is worth, and as an authority which, recognizes an exception to the general rule already stated. Craig v. Ginn, 3 Pennewill (Del.) 117 (48 Atl. 192, 94 Am. St. Rep. 77, 53 L. R. A. 715), contains a review of the authorities upon the proposition, and the suggestion is there made that, if the settlement is procured by' fraud or duress, the dismissal of the pro
A warrant having been issued, he was arrested at his home, and, after being detained in custody for an appreciable time by the officer serving the process, he was released, while no further steps were ever taken in the prosecution of the case. Upon conflicting evidence, the weight of which was wholly for the jury, they further could find that the criminal proceedings were instituted solely for the purpose of . coercing the plaintiff to abandon any claim or right he might have to occcupy the house' as a- tenant, and that when this object had been accomplished by a surrender of his tenancy, and the removal of his family and household goods, he was released from arrest. Indeed, it must have been perfectly plain, if either his evidence or that of his wife was accepted as substantially stating what occurred, that the criminal law was invoked, not for the purpose of vindicating justice, but to get rid of a troublesome tenant. If so found, there was an abuse of criminal process, and this' is sufficient to support an action against the instigator and promoter of the wrong. Wood v. Graves, 144 Mass. 365, 366 (11 N. E. 567, 59 Am. Rep. 95); White v. Apsley Rubber Co., 181 Mass. 339 (63 N. E. 885).
In Smith v. Markensohn, 29 R. I. 55 (69 Atl. 311), the Supreme Court of Bhode Island said:
There was conflicting testimony as to whether the rent was due at the time - of the plaintiff’s arrest, and as to whether he then denied it to be due. The jury evidently found that the plaintiff was not indebted to the defendant when arrested, and that he did not so admit, but the contrary. They also apparently found that the defendant either did not believe, or was not reasonably entitled to believe, that the plaintiff was indebted to him when he caused his arrest. Upon the testimony and the appearances of the witnesses on the stand, I think .the jury amply warranted in so finding, and upon such findings and fact*219 duress by imprisonment might be construed to exist. Strong v. Grannis, 26 Barb. (N. Y.) 122; Watkins v. Baird, 6 Mass. 506 (4 Am. Dec. 170); Richardson v. Duncan, 3 N. H. 508; 9 Cyc. 444, and cases cited; 10 Am. & Eng. Ency. of Law (2d Ed.) 322, 324. If a person arrested while protesting that he is. not indebted to the-person causing his arrest pays the money demanded simply to procure his freedom, he is not thereafter debarred from maintaining an action for malicious prosecution. Morton v. Young, 55 Me. 24 (92 Am. Dec. 565). The cases cited by the defendant are not necessarily inconsistent with -the case last named as to the law. In the present case the testimony in my judgment required the submission of the question to the jury as to whether the payment of the $20 was made in settlement or under duress to obtain his liberty. The verdict of the jury is, in effect, that the payment was made under duress and protest, and that there was want of probable cause. I think that the jury might properly so find upon the evidence.
In the event of acquittal, the defendant in a suit for malicious prosecution may show that plaintiff was in fact guilty of the crime charged, and such showing will be a complete defense to the action. Parkhurst v. Masteller, 57 Iowa, 474.
Ordinarily, when one begins a criminal proceeding in good faith, it should be prosecuted to the end that the law may be vindicated, and our statutes make it a crime for one to compound an offense. See Code, sections 5301, 4889, 4890. But the statutes also provide that certain offenses may be compounded. The sections permitting this read as follows:
When a defendant is prosecuted in a criminal action for a misdemeanor, for which the person injured hy the act constituting the offense has a remedy by a civil action, the offense may be compromised as provided in the next section, except when it was committed: (1) By or upon an officer while in the execution of the duties of his office: (2) Kiotously; or (3) With an intent to commit a felony. (Code,*222 section 5622). If the party injured in such a case appear before the court to which the papers on a preliminary examination are returned, at any time before trial on an indictment for the offense, or the trial of an appeal in the district court, and acknowledge in writing that he has received satisfaction for the injury, the court may, in its discretion, on payment of the costs incurred, order all proceedings to be stayed upon the prosecution, and the defendant to be discharged therefrom. But in that ease the reasons for the order must be set forth therein and entered upon the minutes. (Code, section 5623). The order authorized by the last section is a bar to another prosecution for the same offense. (Code, section 5624). No public offense can be compromised, nor can any proceedings for the prosecution or punishment thereof, upon a compromise, be stayed except as provided in this chapter. (Code, section 5625.)
Plaintiff testified in substance as follows:
In the afternoon of that day I went to my brother-in law’s house on the east side, and between six and seven o’clock Mr. Grane and Mr. Wilson, the' constable, I think it was, came up to the house. Mr. Grane came up, and said: 'The constable is coming down, and will give .you another chance to turn this money over.’ I did not see the constable while he was talking. I said I was willing to turn it over if they were willing to settle with me for everything. He said he couldn’t do that; he .didn’t have that authority; that the constable was coming down there, and, unless I turned it over, he would let the constable arrest me. After that the constable came up and served his warrant and took me away. Mr. Crane started off with us. He walked down the street with us, down town to the police station, and, when we got down there, he said: 'I will give you another chance to turn this money over,’ and I said, 'I have told you how I would turn it over, when you are ready to settle with me.’ That was just as we turned into the police station, and about 8 o’clock at night. They took me into the police station and put me in a cell, searched me, and*224 took my money and watch and whatever I had in my pocket. I asked to telephone to an attorney, and they would not allow me to do that. They said they would telephone, but I heard from no one. In about two hours .the constable came down and took me to Crane’s office. I went into his office. I was not taken up to his office at my request. I did not request it. His office was located about a block and a half from the police station. I was taken into the office and'into the presence of Mr. Crane, and Mr. Crane said: ‘White, if you will turn over this money, we will release you and let you go';’ and I said to him that I would turn' it over if they wanted to settle ivith me the same as I said, in full. He said they wouldn’t do that. Well, I said, I would like to have a chance to get bonds, if I could. He said he would call the thing off, and he called the constable in, and the constable said that the best thing for me to do was to turn the money over, and Mr. Crane would see that I would not have to go to Marshalltown. Mr. Hench was there, and said my wife was crying and was very nervous, and that it was the best thing I could do. I wasn’t able to get any bail, so I thought that was the best thing, to turn the money over to them. The constable was out in the hall. He was walk-ink up and down the hall past the door, and I was in his custody all the time. I turned the money over and went home about ten o’clock. I went to my brother-in-law’s house. My family were up there. ... ‘Mr. Crane,’ I said, ‘I would rather let it go into court, or something, give bond.’ And Mr. Crane said: ‘If that is the way ,you are going to do, we will not go any further with it. We will call it off, or something of that kind.’ . . . I don’t know just what he did mean. He said, unless the money was turned over, he would call it off. I don’t know what he meant. Those were the particular words. I did not understand that he would call off a settlement. After he said that -he would call it off, he called the constable in, and the constable said that, unless the money was turned over, he would have to take me to MarshalltoAvn Avith him; and after that, the money was turned over. He spoke these words shortly after I went in there. I wanted Mr. Crane to allow me the $20 in the trunk, and he .would not do it. I said that I would prefer to let it go on, or*225 something to that effect. Mr. Crane allowed me the commission and my salary check, also for the two days, but did not allow for the $20 on the trunk outfit. The only thing unsettled at that time was pertaining to the trunk outfit.
Another witness, a brother-in-law of the plaintiff, also testified as follows:
Mr. Crane had been to my house that forenoon about getting Mr. White to return the money. He was there when the arrest was made. Q. Did you telephone to Crane’s house that night after Mr. White had been arrested? A. Yes; and talked to Mr. Crane over the phone. I asked him if we put up that money if he woidd release Mr. White or get him released from the jail. He said he would, to come over there, or he would come over to the office and see about it. Q. Did he ask you to come to the house ? A. I don’t recall that he did. I think I said to him that I would rather see him at the office. My object in calling Mr. Crane was not to settle the prosecution. I offered to furnish the money if he would release Mr. White and get him released that night on account of his family. I did not want to settle any prosecution. I did not want to settle anything, only to get Mr. White out of jail. That was all I was attempting to do. Mr. Crane told me to come to the office. I went over to Crane’s office. I had money with me. I do not remember how much. . . . I did not know the amount that they were claiming from Mr. White. I knew somewhere near the amount. My idea was that it was somewhere around $80 or $90. I did not have that amount with me. I did not go over at the suggestion of Mrs. White. She did not talk to me about going over. I did not talk with any member of the family about going over. I simply went on own motion. I wanted to get Mr. White released. Mr. Crane was not at his office when I got there. I met him at the foot of the stairs. I think nothing was said in regard to this matter until we got into the office. I think Mr. Griswold and Mr. Kupfer were there. When I got into the office, I think I made the remark that it was rather a mean thing to do to have him arrested. Mr. Crane got very angry, took off 'his coat, and said he would beat my head. . . . Q. Did you ask Mr. Crane, ‘Can’t this matter be settled up ?’*226 or words to that effect? A. I think so. I don’t whether that was’the next remark or not. I asked 'him if he would not release White if the money was put up, and he said he would; and I said, ‘Then send for Mr. White.’ Q. You asked him to send for Mr. White? A. I think I did. I asked to have him sent for to get him released. When Mr. White got over there, he turned over some money. Q. At your request Crane sent for White, didn’t he, Mr. Hench, in order that enough money might be put up there ? A. Yes, sir. Q. White and the officer came in? A. Yes, sir, I think there was present White, Crane, the officer and myself. Q. Mr. Crane had two checks there didn’t he? A. They had some papers I believe. Mr. White indorsed those two checks, I believe. Q. Mr. Crane explained to him that he could indorse the two checks and turn them in as cash ? A. Yes. I think Mr. White consented to sign the two eheeks. lie did sign them as a matter of fact, and gave them to Mr. Crane. Mr. White paid a part of the money, and I made up the balance. Q. After you made up the $89.10, there was something due for court costs, about $10? A. Yes. The whole amount was made up between us. I put up about $26 and Mr. White the balance. I did not know that Mr. White got a .receipt. I did not see Mr. Crane sign a receipt. They were at a table. I was off quite a little ways, and paid no attention to their settlement. I was not there to settle the thing for them. Mr. White and Mr. Crane did the figuring. Mr. White had a pencil in his hand, writing. I did not pay much attention to the details of the conversation. I did not know that they had passed receipts. I was in the office probably an hour. They talked about the amount of the costs and his release, and the right of the constable to release him. Q. It was understood that White was to turn over the money and the amount of the costs, and the constable was to release Mr. White? A. Yes. He was released. I testified on the former trial that I wanted to pay up the money and get him released. I do not know what he means by settlement. Q. Wasn’t this question asked you, ‘It was understood at that time between you and Mr. Crane and Mr. White that White was to be released from custody of the officer and the criminal prosecution dismissed,’ and you answered that ‘Yes’ ? A. Yes; that is correct. Q. Now the amount that was allowed*227 Mr. White there over and above what was included in the checks was for two days’ salary for work done the week he was discharged? A. I believe it was. Q. Was not this question asked you at the other trial in this case: ‘Q. You wanted to settle the matter for him, White’ ? And did you say ‘Yes’? A. Yes. Q. Was not this question asked you: ‘Q. It was at your instance and request that Mr. Crane sent for Mr. White, wasn’t it’? ' And didn’t you answer, ‘Yes’? A. Yes, sir. Q. Was not this question asked you: ‘You told Mr. White there when he was brought over, White, you must settle .this up, or words to that effect, didn’t you’? A. Yes sir. Q. Was not this question asked you: ‘You told him you would furnish the money’ ? And didn’t you answer that, ‘Yes’ ? A. Yes, sir. Q. When Mi;. White was brought up there,' did he do or say anything in the way of protest against his owing this claim? A. lie protested against this settlement. He said he did not want to settle that way. He said he wanted to settle the way he first wanted to settle with Mr. Crane, less the amount that was due him. I can not say whether Mr. Crane gave him a receipt in full of all matters. I did not know what any of the papers signed contained. I did not look them over. Mr. Crane came to the house to have Mr. White sign some papers later in the night after Mr. White had been released. He said then that he didn’t think Mr. White meant to take the' money or embezzle it.
From this testimony a jury was justified in finding that the alleged settlement was not by plaintiff’s procurement; that the money was paid under protest and for the purpose of securing plaintiff’s release and to prevent his being taken to Marshalltown; that the payment was not voluntary, but under duress, and that the whole proceeding was resorted to, not for the purpose of vindicating the law, but to compel plaintiff to make a settlement of his accounts with the defendant Text-Book Company, or rather such a settlement as the company’s agent insisted the plaintiff should make. There was not a complete adjustment of all matters between the parties, nor was the payment of the money intended as a final adjustment. Some matters were
For the error pointed out, the judgment must be, and it is — Reversed.