Knautt v. Massinger

Opinion bt

Keller, J.,

Tbe question involved in this appeal is whether a justice of tbe peace has jurisdiction in an action of trespass vi et armis to recover damages for personal injuries to the plaintiff resulting from his being struck by an automobile driven by tbe defendant, where tbe amount claimed is less than $300.

A justice of tbe peace has only such jurisdiction in civil actions as is given him by statute: Murdy v. McCutcheon, 95 Pa. 436. If tbe jurisdiction is not expressly granted, he does not have it.

Tbe Act of March 22, 1814, 6 Sm. L. 182, provided: “That justices of the…