Biggs v. Watt

This is an original proceeding in habeas corpus. Petitioner alleges he is unlawfully restrained by John Watt, chief of police of Oklahoma City, and others. That he was charged in the police court with “* * * operating an oil well without a permit, * * *” and that there is no ordinance of said city making the operation of an oil well without a permit an offense.

In the return to the writ the respondents seek to justify the prosecution, conviction, and imprisonment of petitioner under the terms of Ordinance No. 3944 of said city. Said ordinance, in section 2, defines an offense: “To drill or put…