1284 SHERIFFS—PROCESS AND RETURN. [ART. 87.

P. G. L., (1860,) art. 88, sec. 12. 1780, ch. 10, sec. 2.

8. Such bail-bond shall be taken in the name of the State, and
shall be returned to the court to which such writ is returnable,
on the first day thereof.

Ibid, sec 13. 1793, ch. 60, sec. 1.

9. When a sheriff shall return any person arrested upon crimi-
nal process, either mesne or final, and shall fail to bring such
person into court, and shall be amerced, the court may, in the
name of the State, for the use of the State, or such person as may
be interested, on motion of the State's attorney, direct judgment
to be entered against such sheriff for the sum for which he shall
have been amerced, or for the fine, penalty or forfeiture, and
costs for which judgment may have been entered against the
person so arrested, which judgment shall have the same effect as
if rendered on verdict.

Ibid, sec 14. 1793, ch. 60, sec 2.

10. The court, in imposing such amercements, shall govern:
themselves by such principles as under all circumstances shall
appear to them to be reasonable, taking care to keep the State
and county or city of Baltimore indemnified from all costs and
charges.

Ibid. sec. 15. 1794, ch. 54, sec. 2.

11. If any sheriff shall fail to return an original writ within
the time limited by rule of court for that purpose, the court,
on motion, shall amerce the sheriff to the amount of the debt or
damages and costs due from the defendant, to be ascertained by
the oath of the plaintiff, his agent or attorney, and such other
proof as the court may require, and shall enter judgment nisi the.
second day of the next term thereafter for the amount of the
amercement aforesaid, in the name of the plaintiff, against such
sheriff; which judgment shall have the same effect as if rendered,
upon verdict.

Cadwallader v. Ringgold, 4 H & J. 564. Jessop v Brown, 2 G & J. 404
Fowler v. Lee, 10 G. & J. 358. Gardner v. Jenkins, 14 Md. 61. Boyd v. C. &
O. Canal Co . 17 Md. 196.