# Brown v. Stearns

> Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · November 15, 1816 · 13 Mass. 536

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/6404537

## Case

- **Full name:** Pelatiah Brown versus William Stearns and Another
- **Court:** Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
- **Decided:** November 15, 1816
- **Citations:** 13 Mass. 536
- **Precedential status:** Published
- **Opinion:** Opinion of the court
- **Cited by:** 2 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/6404537

## Opinion text

By the Court.
There seems to be no good reason why the defendant, who has been acquitted, and whose innocence is thus established, should not recover his costs. It is plain from the verdict, that the plaintiff had no cause of action against him ; as between him and the plaintiff, he is the prevailing party. The verdict has severed the two defendants as effectually as their pleading several pleas would have done. Let costs be taxed for the defendant, in whose behalf the motion was made.

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/6404537. Public record. Not legal advice.