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John Scott v. The State

Mississippi Supreme Court1885-04
62 Miss. 781

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion

majority opinion

Arnold, J.,

delivered the opinion of the court.

The building as described by the testimony was not a dwelling-house in legal contemplation. To render a building a dwelling-house it must be a habitation for man, and usually occupied by some person lodging in it at-night. A building which is in fact a dwelling-house does not lose its character as such by a mere temporary absence of its inhabitants who have left with intent to return, but it does not become a dwelling-house, though used for taking meals and other purposes, unless the person occupying it or some one of his family or servants usually sleep in it at night. Bish. Stat. Crimes, § 279; Ex parte Vincent, 26 Ala. 145 ; State v. Warren, 33 Maine 30.

Reversed.