{
  "id": 1152584,
  "name": "Kirkland v. Benjamin",
  "name_abbreviation": "Kirkland v. Benjamin",
  "decision_date": "1900-02-24",
  "docket_number": "",
  "first_page": "480",
  "last_page": "481",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "67 Ark. 480"
    }
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  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "Ark.",
    "id": 8808,
    "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 34,
    "name_long": "Arkansas",
    "name": "Ark."
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    {
      "cite": "78 Ind 152",
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    {
      "cite": "51 Ark. 519",
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      "cite": "53 Ark. 147",
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:13:54.689761+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
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  "casebody": {
    "judges": [
      "Wood, J., absent."
    ],
    "parties": [
      "Kirkland v. Benjamin."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Battle, J.\n\u201cA promissory note made to procure the dismissal of a criminal prosecution, although given for the amount of a debt due to the payee, is contrary to public policy, and void.\u201d Rogers v. Blythe, 51 Ark. 519.\n\u201cThe general rule is that where an illegal contract has been made, neither courts of law nor equity will interpose to grant any relief to the parties, but will leave them where it finds them, if they have been equally cognizant of the illegality.\u201d Shattuck v. Watson, 53 Ark. 147.\nWe think that the evidence adduced at the hearing of this cause clearly shows that the notes sued on were executed for the purpose of procuring the dismissal of a criminal prosecution.\nThe decree of the circuit court is therefore reversed, and the cause is remanded; with instructions to the court to dismiss the complaint.\nWood, J., absent.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Battle, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Chas. W. Smith, Judge.",
      "J. W. Warren, for appellants."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "Kirkland v. Benjamin.\nOpinion delivered February 24, 1900.\nNotes\u2014Legality\u2014Compounding a Felony.\u2014Notes executed for the purpose of procuring the dismissal of a criminal prosecution are contrary to public policy and void.\nAppeal from LaFayette Circuit Court.\nChas. W. Smith, Judge.\nJ. W. Warren, for appellants.\nContracts like this -one are prohibited by statute. Sand. & H. Dig., \u00a7 1488. A note given in consideration of the dismissal of a prosecution is void. Tied. Com. Pap. \u00a7 183; 1 Dan. Neg. Inst. \u00a7 196; 54 Mo. 340. It is sufficient if the offense be charged. 1 Dan. Neg. Inst. \u00a7 196; 51 Ark. 519. If the promise to dismiss the prosecution constituted any part of the consideration of the note, it was void. Teid. Com. Pap. \u00a7\u00a7 179, 183. A contract to use every legal and proper endeavor to have a prosecution dismissed is against public policy and void. Tied. Com. Pap. \u00a7 183; 14 Bush, 505; 78 Ind 152; 6 Bradw. 612."
  },
  "file_name": "0480-01",
  "first_page_order": 494,
  "last_page_order": 495
}