Legal Opinion

State v. Thompson.

Supreme Court of North Carolina

Decided June 5, 1825PublishedCited by 10 opinions

From Wake. The defendant was indicted for permitting his negro slave to hire his own time, and when the cause was regularly called for trial before Norwood, Judge, the defendant was ready and urged for a trial; the Attorney Genera) directed a nolle prosequi to be entered in the case without assigning any reason therefor; and after the nol. pros, was entered, the Attorney General moved for a capias against the defendant, returnable to the next term of this Court, which was…

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From Wake. The defendant was indicted for permitting his negro slave to hire his own time, and when the cause was regularly called for trial before Norwood, Judge, the defendant was ready and urged for a trial; the Attorney Genera) directed a nolle prosequi to be entered in the case without assigning any reason therefor; and after the nol. pros, was entered, the Attorney General moved for a capias against the defendant, returnable to the next term of this Court, which was refused by the Court, whereupon the Attorney General appealed,

1Opinion of the Court

Taylor, Chief Justice.

It seems, from the authorities cited, that the Attorney General has a discretionary power to enter a nolle prosequi, for the proper exercise of which he is responsible. We know of no case where the Court has interfered with the exercise of this power, though they certainly would do so if it were oppressively used. As to the directing another capias to issue returnable to the next term, the authorities assert that such process may be awarded upon the same indictment. (6 Mod. 261. Com. Dig. “ Indictment B.” 1 Chitty C. L. 480.) We therefore think that it should have been…

2Cited by10 opinions

  1. Klopfer v. North CarolinaSupreme Court of the United States · 1967
  2. State v. FurmageSupreme Court of North Carolina · 1959
  3. State v. LononSupreme Court of Missouri · 1932
  4. Ex Parte WeaverSupreme Court of Alabama · 1990
  5. State v. CharlesSupreme Court of South Carolina · 1937

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