State v. Woodson

This was a proceeding instituted before a justice of the peace in Crenshaw county, charging the defendant, Woodson, with bastardy, under section 4842 of the Code of 1886. The statute, so far as it sets forth the nature and constituents of the offense, and the jurisdictional venue prescribed for its trial, has remained substantially unchanged ever since its enactment, December 13, 181Í. Toulmin’s Dig. 64-5-6; Clay’s Digest, 133. Its- present form — § 4842 of the Code of 1886 — is as follows : “When any single woman, pregnant with or delivered of a bastard child, makes complaint on oath to any…