Van Baalen v. People

Van Baalen was fined in the Recorder’s court in the city of Detroit for having carried on the business of a pawnbroker without license, contrary to a city ordinance, and he has brought the case here by certiorari.

The ground taken is that the ordinance, which among other regulations not complained of, exacts a fee of $200, is unreasonable in consequence of the magnitude of the charge, and is therefore invalid.

The recorder found the facts, and among others, that the business of pawnbroking gives rise to a heavy city expense, and especially in the increase of police duty and supervision which it…