Commonwealth v. Ross
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
FROM the special verdict returned by the jury in this case, it appeared that a certain Henry Hodgkinson, being charged before alderman Badger “ with a misdemeanor in writing letters without a real signature, with a view to extort money from a certain person,” entered into a recognisance together with Joseph Morris and the defendant, Robert Rdss, in the sum of 500 dollars each, on the 21st October, 1817, for the appearance of the said Hodgkinson at the office of the alderman…
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FROM the special verdict returned by the jury in this case, it appeared that a certain Henry Hodgkinson, being charged before alderman Badger “ with a misdemeanor in writing letters without a real signature, with a view to extort money from a certain person,” entered into a recognisance together with Joseph Morris and the defendant, Robert Rdss, in the sum of 500 dollars each, on the 21st October, 1817, for the appearance of the said Hodgkinson at the office of the alderman on the following day, at four o’clock in the afternoon, at which time and place Hodgkinson made his appearance, but…
1Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Tilghman,C. J.
It is not denied that the alderman had authority to inquire into this offence, and to commit the prisoner, admit him to bail, or discharge him, as circumstances might require. It is admitted also, that it has long been a general practice to take recognisances for the appearance of the prisoner before the alderman, from time to time, pending the examination. This practice is very much for the ease of persons under accusation, as many days may elapse before their examination is finished. In cases of murder, and other capital offences, where…
2Cases cited1 opinion
- Commonwealth v. EmerySupreme Court of Pennsylvania · 1810
3Cited by1 opinion
- Allen v. CommonwealthSupreme Court of Virginia · 1893