Opinion
July, 1898.
N.S. Levy, for plaintiff.
M. Strassman, for defendant.
The justice's return shows that issue was joined herein on September 3, 1897, and that the cause was thereupon adjourned to September 29, 1897, and again, from time to time, until October 13, 1897, when the trial took place. The stenographer's minutes, which form part of the record, show that on September 3, 1897, "counsel for defendant asked for a trial by jury, which request the court refused to grant, on the ground that it was made after issue had been joined, and after an adjournment of the case had been taken. Counsel for defendant excepted to the ruling." The Appellate Term must go by the record, which, as we have seen, shows that issue was joined and a demand made for a jury trial on the same day, to-wit, September 3, 1897. Presumably, therefore, in the absence of anything to show the contrary, both took place at the same time, within the meaning of the statute. Section 1372 of the Consolidation Act, as amended by the Laws of 1891, provides as follows: "A trial by jury must be demanded at the time of the joining of an issue of fact, and is waived if neither party then demand it." The defendant claims that, promptly upon the joinder of issue herein, he made his demand for a jury trial; and the record appears to sustain his assertion. It is well settled that where a party exercises his right to a trial by jury, the justice cannot take it away from him. Proceedings in District Courts must conform to the statute, and a violation of the statute renders a resulting judgment erroneous. These courts of limited jurisdiction can assume no power by implication, but must keep within the powers expressly given to them; and if they go beyond them, their acts are void. See Blumburg v. Briggs, 10 N.Y. St. Repr. 242; Equitable Gas L. Co. v. French, 10 Misc. 750; Schwartz v. Wechler, 2 id. 71.
We are of opinion that the judgment should be reversed, upon the exception here presented; and, having reached this conclusion, we are not called upon to discuss the other questions raised upon this appeal. Judgment reversed, and a new trial ordered, with costs to the appellant to abide the event.
Present: BEEKMAN, P.J., GILDERSLEEVE and GIEGERICH, JJ.
Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event.