{
  "id": 1449989,
  "name": "Lamb v. State",
  "name_abbreviation": "Lamb v. State",
  "decision_date": "1941-10-06",
  "docket_number": "4217",
  "first_page": "931",
  "last_page": "934",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "202 Ark. 931"
    },
    {
      "type": "parallel",
      "cite": "155 S.W.2d 49"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "Ark.",
    "id": 8808,
    "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 34,
    "name_long": "Arkansas",
    "name": "Ark."
  },
  "cites_to": [
    {
      "cite": "179 S. W. 818",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.W.",
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "120 Ark. 337",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "Ark.",
      "case_ids": [
        1561120
      ],
      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/ark/120/0337-01"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "analysis": {
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    "char_count": 4329,
    "ocr_confidence": 0.566,
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    "sha256": "51e9930ae816847954bdc7fc3b4537cf326b9c92605877d9b3f57985194d13ac",
    "simhash": "1:166c286a8485d4b9",
    "word_count": 725
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:41:33.899118+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "Lamb v. State."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Griffin Smiti-i, C. J.\nClyde Lamb, constable and deputy sheriff since 1926, was indicted for obtaining money by false pretense. Pope\u2019s Digest, \u00a7 3073. A jury found him guilty and fixed punishment at one year in the penitentiary.\nActing, ostensibly, in his official c\u00e1pacity (but in fact without warrant of law) appellant collected an excessive sum of money from Ern. McDaniel who had agreed to plead guilty to a charge of possessing untaxed liquor. It was understood that the lowest permissible fine would be assessed. Justice of the Peace Erith Dixon entered on his docket a fine of $5. Dixon\u2019s fees amounted to $2.30, and $1.30 was credited to the constable, a total of $8.60.\nThere .was proof that McDaniel was arrested Saturday, August 10, 1940, and placed in jail. Thirty minutes later he was released by appellant, who told him \u201cthey\u201d were going to fine him. The Negro was directed to return the following day.\nMcDaniel testified that the next day, in response to appellant\u2019s suggestion, he went with appellant to see the justice of the peace, remaining in his (McDaniel\u2019s) car while the two officials conferred in appellant\u2019s home. McDaniel then went home, but returned in about an hour, appellant having stated that the fine and cost amounted to $30. It was agreed that the amount might be paid in installments. Appellant accepted $15, for which a receipt was given. It read: \u201cBalance, $15 as forfeiture on fine and cost, possessing liquor.\u201d Later, according to McDaniel, three payments were made to Lamb: one for $10, one for $4, and one for $1. McDaniel was not able to produce the ten-dollar receipt, but exhibited, another, dated October 13 (unsigned) evidencing payment of $5, and marked, \u201cbalance $1.\u201d He testified $4 was paid at the time the receipt was written, but that the remaining dollar was paid at a later date.\nIt is first insisted that the money collected was based on a future transaction, and therefore does not come within the false pretense statute. False pretense is a misrepresentation of an existing fact or past event, as distinguished from a promise to do something in the future, or a misrepresentation regarding what is to be done in the future. Lawson v. State, 120 Ark. 337, 179 S. W. 818. In the Lawson case, however, it was held that where the defendant falsely represented himself to be a revenue officer, and that it was within his power to arrest witness, but proposed to \u201cend the matter\u201d for $300, which was given him, the accused was guilty of obtaining money by false pretenses.\nIn the instant case there was no misrepresentation in respect of the officer\u2019s capacity, or identity, but there was a false statement regarding the obligation. Appellant either knew, or bjr the exercise of slight care could have ascertained, that the fine and costs only amounted to $8.60. Appellant denies having received more than $15. There is convincing evidence that he admitted, prior to trial, that $30 was paid by McDaniel. The explanation was that such payment was \u201ca forfeiture \u2014 a sum forfeited when a man didn\u2019t want to appear in court.\u201d\nThere was substantial evidence that after receiving the first $15, appellant collected an additional $15. This did not relate to a future transaction.\nException was taken to the court\u2019s refusal to give appellant\u2019s requested instruction, shown in the footnote. There is no evidence that the items \u2014 costs and fine\u2014 amounted to $15; -lienee, refusal to give the instruction was not error. In appellant\u2019s brief it is only argued that costs, fine, etc., amounted to \u201capproximately\u201d fifteen dollars.\nThe strongest proof of appellant\u2019s guilt comes from witnesses who testified that when he was confronted with details of the alleged transaction there was an admission that $30 was received. Justification was predicated upon the claim that the payment was a forfeiture.\nAffirmed.\nThe statement apparently had reference to fine and costs.\n\u201cIf you find that the defendant collected only $15 from Ern. McDaniel, and the fine, J. P. and constable, and the amount due the sheriff, amounted to the sum collected, then you will acquit the defendant.\u201d",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Griffin Smiti-i, C. J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "John Owens, P. L. Smith and Tom Kidd, for appellant.",
      "Jack Holt, Attorney General, and Jno. P. Streepey, Assistant Attorney General, for appellee."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "Lamb v. State.\n4217\n155 S. W. 2d 49\nOpinion delivered October 6, 1941.\nJohn Owens, P. L. Smith and Tom Kidd, for appellant.\nJack Holt, Attorney General, and Jno. P. Streepey, Assistant Attorney General, for appellee."
  },
  "file_name": "0931-01",
  "first_page_order": 949,
  "last_page_order": 952
}