Modell Pawnbrokers, Inc. v. Moss

This is an action for a declaratory judgment against the Commissioner of Licenses. Plaintiff, as a pawnbroker, desires to engage in the business of refinancing loans made by other pawnbrokers. It originally adopted a plan of accompanying the pledgor to the house of the pawnbroker where the loan was outstanding and the pawn held, there redeeming the pawn and then making a new loan on the same collateral. The Commissioner of Licenses challenged the legality of this method of doing business and threatened to revoke plaintiff’s license as a pawnbroker if the practice was continued. Plaintiff…