In Re Washer

Petitioner was convicted and imprisoned for violation of the statute known as the “Usury Act,” the complaint alleging that he “did wilfully and unlawfully ask, demand, receive, take, accept and charge of and from” certain individuals more than twelve per cent per annum on a $7,000 loan “for the forbearance, use and loan of said sum of money; payment . . . being secured by an evidence of debt, to wit: a trust deed upon real property . . . and by a promissory note” executed in favor of petitioner.

The district court of appeal rendered a decision discharging the writ of habeas corpus and…