Commonwealth v. Hoxey

16 Mass. 385 (1820)

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Commonwealth v. Hoxey

Massachusetts Supreme Court
16 Mass. 385 (1820)

  • Written by Galina Abdel Aziz , JD

Facts

On March 15, 1819, a town meeting was held in Williamstown to elect town officers. While the moderator was presiding over and receiving the votes, T.F. Hoxey (defendant) interrupted the meeting, declared that old selectmen should not be elected, and attempted to take votes from a box. A jury found Hoxey guilty of behaving disorderly and indecently and disturbing the peace and quiet in violation of the rights of private suffrage. Massachusetts did not have a statute that criminalized Hoxey’s actions. Hoxey appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Holmes, C.J.)

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