Justice Detail

Tarlton v. Miller

Bloom v. Goodner

Goodner sued Bloom for in an action of forcible entry and detainer and won before a justice of the peace. Bloom appealed to the circuit court, but it upheld the judgment. Bloom then appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, which addressed four issues: only eleven jurors signed the verdict (a clerical mistake), improper jury instructions on forcible detainer (no harm done), trial location (permitted by law), and new evidence after arguments started (discretionary). The Supreme Court found no reversible errors and affirmed the lower court’s judgment.

Collins and Collins v. Waggoner

Waggoner sued Collins and Collins in an action of trespass quare clausum fregit in the Madison County Circuit Court. The circuit court ruled for Waggoner. Waggoner cited an earlier justice of the peace case involving constable McMahon in his replication of this case. Collins and Collins appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court stating Waggoner's replication was in error by mentioning constable McMahon in his replication and not in his declaration. The Supreme Court reversed the circuit court's decision stating that if the replication departs from the declaration, it is in error.

Cornelius v. Coons and Jarvis

Cornelius sued Coons and Jarvis for an injunction to prevent the collection of a debt. Jarvis responded that he was doing his duty as a constable in executing a justice of the peace judgment, and Coons denied the allegations in the bill. The St. Clair County Circuit Court  ruled in favor of Coons and Jarvis and dissolved the injunction. Cornelius appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, which affirmed the lower court's judgment.

Foley v. People

Foley was found guilty of larceny at a special term of the circuit court and appealed the decision to the Illinois Supreme Court, which scrutinized Foley's conviction. The main issue was jurisdiction, contested based on a statute's interpretation. Despite arguments for broad interpretation, the court found the statute's language clear and strict. Larceny, not being a capital offense, falls under bail provisions per the state constitution. The Supreme Court concluded that the court below lacked jurisdiction, refraining from reversing but offering guidance for future clarity.

Gill v. Caldwell

Gill sued Caldwell in an action of slander in the Crawford County Circuit Court. The jury found for Caldwell, and Gill appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court. The Court reversed the lower court's decision because it improperly excluded a witness's' testimony. 

Bryan et al. v. Primm

In the St. Clair County Circuit Court, Primm sued Davidson to set aside a contract and to annul a judgment by Bryan and Morrison against him made under said contract. The circuit court ruled in favor of Primm. Bryan appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, where the judgment was affirmed.

Mason v. Wash

Wash for the use of the Bank of New York sued Mason for a breach of contract in the Madison County Circuit Court for failing to pay a promissory note. Wash recovered a judgment against Mason, and Mason appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, which reversed the judgement and remanded the cause for new proceedings because the statute of Anne (a copyright law) was not construed in the same way as the statutes in Illinois.

Moore v. Watts et al.

Moore took some grain, and Watts, Crocker and Wells, as justice of the peace constables, assaulted Moore. Moore sued Watts, Crocker, and Wells for assault and battery and false imprisonment in the St. Clair County Circuit Court. The court agreed with Watts that their actions were justified and found in favor of Watts. Moore appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, which reversed the judgment and remanded the case for new proceedings because the jury instruction that justified Watts's actions was given improperly. 

Thompson v. Armstrong