mistake of law where person knew facts and misunderstood legal consequences
How later courts described this case
- mistake of law where person knew facts and misunderstood legal consequences
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
SHINN, P. J.
I dissent. The motion should have been granted. It was not denied upon the ground defendant had not moved promptly. She was granted leave to have the judgment vacated for trial of the paternity issue only. I do not understand this procedure. She should be permitted to present whatever defenses and claims she may have on behalf of herself and the child. The courts have almost invariably followed a liberal policy in allowing divorce cases to be tried on their merits. What better reason could *924 there be for granting relief than the discovery of pregnancy after default and judgment had been entered ? Upon a showing such as defendant made relief from default was called for in the exercise of sound judicial discretion and therefore was a matter of right, not of grace; it should not have been meted out in small inadequate doses. In my opinion the order should be reversed.