{
  "id": 8597811,
  "name": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA on Relation of W. S. DICKEY, H. E. DICKEY, and E. G. NICHOLS, v. C. L. ALVERSON",
  "name_abbreviation": "State v. Alverson",
  "decision_date": "1945-02-28",
  "docket_number": "",
  "first_page": "29",
  "last_page": "31",
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    "id": 9292,
    "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina"
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    {
      "cite": "213 N. C., 432",
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      "cite": "221 N. C., 301",
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      "cite": "203 N. C., 610",
      "category": "reporters:state",
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      "cite": "224 N. C., 781",
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      "cite": "135 N. C., 328",
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:52:44.450219+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
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  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA on Relation of W. S. DICKEY, H. E. DICKEY, and E. G. NICHOLS, v. C. L. ALVERSON."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Devin, J.\nThe statutes, G. S., 19-1, and G. S., 19-2, under which this action was brought, authorize a civil action in the name of the State upon the relation of a citizen, and permit the issuance of an injunction without bond, the closing of a place of business, and the seizure of the personal property used in connection therewith, upon verified complaint of a nuisance which is therein defined as follows:\n\u201cWhoever shall erect, establish, continue, maintain, use, own or lease any building, erection or place used for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, prostitution, gambling or the illegal sale of whiskey, is guilty of a nuisance.\u201d '\nIt is apparent that the allegations and proof of acts and conduct which would justify the proceeding here undertaken must point to one of three things, viz.: prostitution, gambling or the illegal sale of whiskey. Neither of these is alleged in the complaint or shown by the evidence. Hence, defendant was entitled to have the restraining order dissolved and the personal property released from custody.\nThere is no allegation of peculiar injury to person or property of plaintiffs resulting from the public nuisance alleged which would entitle the plaintiffs to maintain a civil action therefor. Reyburn v. Sawyer, 135 N. C., 328, 47 S. E., 761; Hall v. Coach Co., 224 N. C., 781. The maintenance of a public nuisance is an offense against the State, and upon proper allegation and proof would subject the person who maintained it to indictment. S. v. Everhardt, 203 N. C., 610, 166 S. E., 738; S. v. Brown, 221 N. C., 301, 20 S. E. (2d), 286; 39 Am. Jur., 378. But the proceeding prescribed by G. S., 19-2, for a civil action by a citizen in the name of the State for injunction, the closing of a place of business. and the seizure and sale of the .personal property used therewith must be based upon allegation and proof of one or more of the specific acts \u2022denounced, by G. S., 19-1. Barker v. Palmer, 217 N. C., 519, 8 S. E. (2d), 610; Carpenter v. Boyles, 213 N. C., 432, 196 S. E., 850.\nWhile the plaintiffs\u2019 allegations and the affidavits offered disclose undesirable conditions about defendant\u2019s place of business, they are not in law sufficient to invoke the statutory procedure here undertaken. Whether the evidence warrants criminal prosecution is a matter for the local authorities.\nIt may be noted that the sale of beer and wine is permitted under the State law, and license therefor was granted to this defendant by the \u25a0county and municipality under the provisions of G. S., 18-72, et seq. The rights of the parties and of the public thereunder are pointed out in McCotter v. Reel, 223 N. C., 486.\nThe order continuing the restraining order and directing retention of \u25a0custody of defendant\u2019s personal property must be\nReversed.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Devin, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Winifred Townson Wells and Edwards \u25a0<& Leaiherwood for plaintiffs.",
      "J. D. Mallonee, F. 0. Christopher, and J. B. Gray for defendant."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA on Relation of W. S. DICKEY, H. E. DICKEY, and E. G. NICHOLS, v. C. L. ALVERSON.\n(Filed 28 February, 1945.)\n1. Nuisance \u00a7 6\u2014\nThe maintenance of a public nuisance is an offense against the State, and upon proper allegation and proof would subject the person who maintained it to indictment.\n2. Nuisance \u00a7\u00a7 5, 6\u2014\nThere must be an allegation of peculiar injury to person or property of plaintiff resulting from a public nuisance to entitle plaintiff to maintain a civil action therefor.\nS. Nuisance \u00a7\u00a7 7, 10, 11\u2014\nThe proceeding prescribed by G. S., 19-2, for a civil action by a citizen in the name of the State for injunction, the closing of a place of business, and the seizure and sale of personal property used therewith, must be based upon allegations and proof of prostitution, gambling, or the illegal sale of whiskey as specified in G. S., 19-1.\nAppeal by defendant from Alley, J., at Chambers, 6 September, 1944. Erom Cherokee.\nThis was a civil action instituted by plaintiffs in the name of the State under G. S., 19-2, to close defendant\u2019s place of business and to enjoin the maintenance there of an alleged nuisance.\nIn the complaint it was alleged, in substance, that defendant operated a place of business in Murphy known as the \u201cSmoke House,\u201d where beer and wine were sold and a pool room operated; that the sale of beer and wine caused public drunkenness, profanity and disorder, and the gathering of intoxicated men on the public street outside the Smoke House, so as to constitute a public nuisance; that the loud noise of a music machine disturbs those living in the vicinity, and that beer and wine are sold to minors. Injunction was prayed against the maintenance and operation of this place, the abatement of the nuisance and the seizure and sale of the personal property used in connection therewith.\nTemporary restraining order was issued as prayed. Upon the hearing defendant moved to dismiss on the ground that the facts alleged in the complaint were not sufficient to invoke the proceeding under G. S., 19-2. Motion was overruled and defendant excepted.\nEvidence was thereupon offered by plaintiffs tending to substantiate the allegations of the complaint, and evidence contra by defendant.\nThe restraining order was modified so as not to apply to defendant\u2019s cafe operated in same building, and in all other respects the restraining order was continued to the hearing, and the sheriff directed to retain custody of the personal property seized.\nDefendant excepted and appealed.\nWinifred Townson Wells and Edwards \u25a0<& Leaiherwood for plaintiffs.\nJ. D. Mallonee, F. 0. Christopher, and J. B. Gray for defendant."
  },
  "file_name": "0029-01",
  "first_page_order": 77,
  "last_page_order": 79
}