{ "id": 1478749, "name": "Simpson v. Brooks", "name_abbreviation": "Simpson v. Brooks", "decision_date": "1945-07-02", "docket_number": "4-7649", "first_page": "1093", "last_page": "1100", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "208 Ark. 1093" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "189 S.W.2d 364" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ark.", "id": 8808, "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 34, "name_long": "Arkansas", "name": "Ark." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "15 Abb. Pr. 336", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Abb. Pr.", "case_ids": [ 4626757 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/abb-pr/15/0336-01" ] }, { "cite": "7 Tex. 215", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Tex.", "case_ids": [ 6768025 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/tex/7/0108-01" ] }, { "cite": "21 Am. Dec. 122", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "Am. Dec.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "4 Wend. 229", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Wend.", "case_ids": [ 2005418 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "252-255" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/wend/4/0229-01" ] }, { "cite": "1 Denio 319", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Denio", "case_ids": [ 484025 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/denio/1/0319-01" ] }, { "cite": "4 Day 121", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Day", "case_ids": [ 6753364 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/day/4/0121-01" ] }, { "cite": "41 N. W. 53", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "76 Iowa 401", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Iowa", "case_ids": [ 2063665 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/iowa/76/0401-01" ] }, { "cite": "28 Am. Rep. 754", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "Am. Rep.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "142 U. S. 547", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 3557472 ], "weight": 4, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/142/0547-01" ] }, { "cite": "161 U. S. 591", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 5701603 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/161/0591-01" ] }, { "cite": "38 Pac. 781", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "54 Kan. 618", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Kan.", "case_ids": [ 1204225 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/kan/54/0618-01" ] }, { "cite": "48 N. E. 249", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "150 Ind. 332", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ind.", "case_ids": [ 1547783 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ind/150/0332-01" ] }, { "cite": "2 A. L. R. 340", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "167 Pac. 202", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "case_ids": [ 6430433, 8747223 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/okla/66/0057-02", "/okla-crim/14/0681-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 Okla. 57", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Okla.", "case_ids": [ 6430433, 6430268 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/okla/66/0057-02", "/okla/66/0057-01" ] }, { "cite": "107 Pac. 1068", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "47 Colo. 542", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Colo.", "case_ids": [ 5279403 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/colo/47/0542-01" ] }, { "cite": "42 Ill. App. 287", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App.", "case_ids": [ 5039136 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app/42/0287-01" ] }, { "cite": "25 Vt. 514", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Vt.", "case_ids": [ 737773 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/vt/25/0514-01" ] }, { "cite": "16 S. E. 90", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "89 Ga. 838", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ga.", "case_ids": [ 239350 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ga/89/0838-01" ] }, { "cite": "271 S. W. 710", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "168 Ark. 700", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8724768 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/168/0700-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 871, "char_count": 13306, "ocr_confidence": 0.518, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.363578020408654e-07, "percentile": 0.6368029564658017 }, "sha256": "ad2bc96675b1460a2b391c90036bd99d1e964456f178e52f7ac25f604423fa91", "simhash": "1:c42a2480732edef3", "word_count": 2277 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:02:19.909104+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "Simpson v. Brooks." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Griffin Smith, Chief Justice.\nThe Fidelity Company is a partnership engaged in the insurance brokerage business. During 1939 and until June 10, 1943, and prior thereto, Lee Abies was bookkeeper for the Company; and while acting in that capacity he is alleged to have taken more than $39,000. The complaint states that Paul Brooks was a \u201cbookmaker\u201d residing in Pulaski County, where he accepted bets on horse races. During the period in question, Abies is alleged to have paid Brooks \u201ca large proportion\u201d of the money he took from the Company, the exact sum being unknown to the plaintiffs. It was gambled by Abies and won by Brooks. The prayer was that the defendant be required to submit an account showing all sums placed with him by Abies for betting \u201cduring the years 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, and until June 10, 1943; [and] that the plaintiffs have a decree against the defendant for $39,000 or such sums as may be shown by proper accounting to have been paid to [Brooks] by Abies.\u201d\nIn sustaining a demurrer the Court held (a) that a cause of action was not stated; (b) that the relief prayed for contemplated discovery of information which would subject tlie defendant to criminal prosecution; and (c) that the Court was without jurisdiction because the plaintiff had an adequate remedy of law.\nAppellee contends that under the common law persons who lost money by gambling did not have a right of action for recovery; and that in Arkansas the common law was enlarged (Pope\u2019s Digest, .\u00a7 6112) so that in certain circumstances the loser could sue. The section of Pope\u2019s Digest is a part of the Revised Statutes (Chapter 68, \u00a7 1), and its evolution is traced by Chief Justice McCulloch in Lane v. Alexander, 168 Ark. 700, 271 S. W. 710.\nThe right of action given by Pope\u2019s section 6112 extends to persons who lose money or property at any game or gambling device, or through any bet or wager whatever, provided suit is instituted within ninety days after the money or property so lost has been \u201cpaid over. \u2019 \u2019 The right survives to the heirs, executors, administrators, or creditors of the person who loses in the manner mentioned.\nIn circumstances such as many of the cases deal with, one whose property is appropriated by a third person in an unlawful manner and delivered to a gambler as the incident of betting, is permitted at common law to recover because ownership has not in fact passed; but not so as to gambling transactions between participants who used their own money.\nThe basic principle was expressed in Smith v. Ray, 89 Ga. 838, 16 S. E. 90. It was alleged that the defendant won $840 from a designated person, while engaged in a game of chance called \u201cmatching,\u201d but that the money belonged to the plaintiff. The City Court of Macon had sustained a demurrer. In reversing this judgment the Supreme Court, in a per curiam order, said that the complaint stated a cause of action for money had and received, and that the right was referable to the common law.\nMr. Justice Bennett, speaking for the Supreme Court of Vermont in Burnham v. Fisher, 25 Vt. 514, held that where a clerk was authorized to borrow money for a merchant and execute notes therefor, proceeds of these loans (and' other funds unlawfully taken from the proprietor\u2019s store) lost at gambling could be recovered, by the merchant, \u201cthe same having passed from the clerk into his hands against law and without consideration.\u201d The right was given by common law.\nAn Illinois case is in line with what the Vermont Court held. See McAllister v. Oberne, Hosick & Co., 42 Ill. App. 287. Weider, general agent for the appellee at Peoria, drew drafts on his principal at Chicago, in consequence of which money was transferred. Weider lost to McAllister at cards and settled with checks against the Company\u2019s Peoria account. Affirming judgment against McAllister, the. Court commented that \u201c[McAllister] must be held to have received appellees\u2019 money on a gambling debt.\u201d Effect of the decision was that the action would lie \u2018 \u2018 under the common counts for money had and received and la-id out and expended, etc. \u2019 \u2019\nJudgment was affirmed in Murry et al. v. Aull, 47 Colo. 542, 107 Pac. 1068. The plaintiff had entrusted her husband with a certain fund. He, in turn, deposited it in a bank to his own credit. Murry and others operated a saloon and rented space to Owen, where gambling was conducted. Aull lost a thousand dollars. Owen suggested that Aull have Murry cash his cheek, and this was done. Murry knew that the money was to be paid Owen to cover Aull\u2019s gambling losses.\nThe Supreme Court of Oklahoma, after carefully reviewing cases applicable to transactions such as we are dealing with, made this statement: \u201cThere is no doubt as to the legal proposition that a third person whose money has been lost to another at gambling may recover the same in an action at law against the person or persons winning or receiving the same.\u201d Becker v. Fitch, 66 Okla. 57, 167 Pac. 202, 2 A. L. R. 340.\nIn holding that the State was not the proper party to bring suit on behalf of Mrs. William A. Walley to recover money lost b}^ her husband in gambling, the Supreme Court of Indiana held that Mrs. Wallay could have proceeded at common law. Ervin v. State, 150 Ind. 332, 48 N. E. 249. See, also, Pollak v. Agner, 54 Kan. 618, 38 Pac. 781.\nThere is nothing to\u2019indicate a legislative intention, through adoption of that part of the Revised Statutes now appearing as Section 6112 of Pope\u2019s Digest, to make the remedy exclusive of common law rights, other than in respect of transactions between the immediate parties. It must be held, therefore, that the complaint stated a cause of action. Nor is the defendant privileged under Section 8, Article II, of the Constitution, to refuse to give testimony. While courts cannot compel persons, \u201cin any criminal case to be a witness against themselves,\u201d most of the transaction mentioned in the complaint are alleged to have occurred more than three years ago. If indicted or informed against because of disclosures made while responding to judicial direction that discovery be had, the witness so testifying has only to plead limitation in order to avail himself of that security the Constitution gives. Conversely, his plea of limitation against the plaintiffs for debt would not, as a matter of course, be good; for it might be shown (as the demurrer indicates) that Brooks concealed the transactions to such an extent that the plea would be unavailing.\nSection six of Chapter 68, Revised. Statutes, (Pope\u2019s Digest, \u00a7 6117) provides that \u201cin all suits under this chapter, the plaintiff may call on the defendant to answer, on oath, any interrogatory, touching the case, and, if the defendant refuse to answer, the same shall be taken as confessed.\u201d The next section is: \u201cSuch answer shall not be admitted as evidence against such person in any prosecution by indictment.\u201d\n. While these provisions pertain strictly to the statutory transactions and rights set out, there is, in general, implication of public policy regarding tbe extent to which immunity of one whose testimony would tend to incriminate him should go. Greenleaf on Evidence, v. 1, p. 600, 15th ed., cites holding that if the lapse of time bars prosecution to which the witness would otherwise be exposed, \u201che is bound to answer.\u201d\nThe United States Supreme Court (Brown v. Walker, 161 U. S. 591, 16 S. Ct. 644, 40 L. Ed. 819.) had before it an Act of Congress which provided that no person would be excused from testifying . . . before the Interstate Commerce Commission \u201con the ground or for the reason that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of him, maj^ tend to criminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture; but no person shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing, concerning Avhich he may testify. . . . \u201d\nIt was said in the opinion that the Act was supposed to have been passed to meet the Court\u2019s decision inCounselman v. Hitchcock, 142 U. S. 547, 12 S. Ct. 195, 35 L. Ed. 1110, to the effect that \u00a7 8601 of the Revised Statutes (providing that no evidence given by a witness shall be used against him, his property or estate, in any manner, in any court of the United States, in any criminal proceeding) did not afford that \u25a0 complete protection to the witness which the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution Avas intended to guarantee\nIn holding that the constitutional protection was \u201cfully accomplished\u201d through the immunity or \u201cgeneral amnesty\u201d provided by the statute, the Court ruled that the witness should testify. It was then said that, as a general rule of law; \u201c. . . if a prosecution for a crime, concerning which the Avitness is interrogated, is barred by. the statute of limitations, he is compelled to answer.\u201d Parkhurst v. Lowten, 1 Merivale, 391, 400; Calhoun v. Thompson, 56 Alabama, 166, 28 Am. Rep. 754; Mahanke v. Cleland, 76 Iowa 401, 41 N. W. 53; Weldon v. Burch, 12 Illinois 374; United States v. Smith, 4 Day 121; Close v. Olney, 1 Denio 319; People v. Mather, 4 Wend. 229, 252-255, 21 Am. Dec. 122; Williams v. Farrington, 11 Cox Ch. R. 202; Davis v. Reid, 5 Sim. 443; Floyd v. State, 7 Tex. 215; Maloney v. Dows, 2 Hilt. 247; Wolfe v. Goulard, 15 Abb. Pr. 336.\nWharton, Criminal Evidence, v. 1, 10th ed., p. 970, mentions (by footnote reference) the rule laid down in Counselman v. Hitchcock, supra, calling attention to the fact that it was later overruled. He also discusses the holding that a witness \u2018 \u2018 cannot be shielded from the personal disgrace attaching to the exposure of his crime\u201d by reliance on the constitutional provision.\nMr. Greenleaf, in the volume and edition heretofore cited, pp. 599-600, says that in cases where the privilege may be claimed, the right is personal and not that of the party [defendant]; \u201ccounsel, therefore, will not be allowed to make the objection.\u201d\nWigmore, in his work on Evidence, v. 8, 3d ed., pp. 317-18, comments extensively on abuses to which the privilege against compulsory self-incrimination has been subjected. His view is that the letter of the law should not be enlarged by sentimental considerations. \u201cIndirectly and ultimately,\u201d says Wigmore, \u201cit works for good,\u2014for the good of the innocent accused and of the community at large. But directly and concretely it works for ill,\u2014for the protection of the guilty and the consequent derangement of civic order. The current judicial habit is to ignore its latter aspect, and to laud it undiscriminatingly with false cant. \u2019 \u2019\nIt is finally urged by appellee in his brief that Chancery Court is without jurisdiction. 'Since discovery \u2014and, within limitations, matters of accountancy\u2014are involved, resort to equity was not inappropriate.\nReversed, with directions to overrule the demurrer.\nThe headnote to this case, in 47 Colo. 542, is: \u201cThe depositary of money misappropriates it to discharge his losses in gaming. The one receiving the money had notice of the facts. The depositor may recover the money.\u201d The opinion proper does not support the statement that \u201cthe one receiving the money had notice of facts.\u201d There is nothing to indicat that either Owen or Murry and his associate knew that Aull was using his wife\u2019s money.\nIn addition to that part of.Prof. Wig-more\u2019s comment above quoted, and in connection with the same discussion, he said: \u201cA stranger from another legal sphere might imagine, in the perusal of our precedents, that the guilty criminal was the fond object of the Court\u2019s doting tenderness, guiding him at every step into the path of unrectitude, and lifting up his feet lest he fall into the pits digged for him by justice and by his own offenses. The judicial practice, now too common, of treating with warm and fostering respect every appeal to this privilege, and of amiably feigning each guilty invocator to be an unsullied victim hounded by the persecutions of a tyrant, is a mark of traditional sentimentality. It involves a confusion between the abstract privilege\u2014which is indeed a bulwark of justice\u2014and the individual entitled to it\u2014who may be a monster of crime. There is no reason why judges should lend themselves to confirming the insidious impression that crime in itself is worthy of protection. The privilege cannot be enforced without protecting crime; but that is a necessary evil inseparable from it, and not a reason for its existence. We should regret the evil, not magnify it by approval. . . . There ought to be an end of judicial cant towards crime. We have already too much of what a wit has called \u2018justice tempered with mercy.\u2019 A due respect for the privilege is perfectly consistent with a strict contempt for the guilty offender, and does not require or condone his protection as an end good in itself or good under any circumstances. It is enough for justice and for the commonwealth that the privilege exists, immovably fixed in the Constitution. The good which it aims at consists in that general fact and system, and not in the individual application of it to a given claimant. That effects mostly harm,\u2014a particular harm which we suffer for the larger good.\u201d", "type": "majority", "author": "Griffin Smith, Chief Justice." } ], "attorneys": [ "Busbee, Harrison & Wright, for appellant.", "John L. Sullivan and E. B. Dillon, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "Simpson v. Brooks.\n4-7649\n189 S. W. 2d 364\nOpinion delivered July 2, 1945.\nBusbee, Harrison & Wright, for appellant.\nJohn L. Sullivan and E. B. Dillon, for appellee." }, "file_name": "1093-01", "first_page_order": 1111, "last_page_order": 1118 }