Beckett v. State ex rel. Rothert

This was a prosecution for bastardy. The record shows that a complaint in due form was filed before a justice of the peace, upon which a warrant was issued • for the arrest of the defendant. The warrant was returned “not found,” and the justice heard the complaint in the absence of the defendant, and decided that he was the father of the relatrix’s child, and certified the cause to the circuit court. There an affidavit was filed, showing that the defendant was a non-resident of the State, and an order was entered directing that notice be given of the pendency of the action by publication. In…