This case is about slaves or slavery.
| Year: | 1887 |
| Citation: | 67 Md. 364 |
| Jurisdiction: | Maryland |
| People: | |
| Short Summary: | Mentioning that the woman upon whom the child begotten was a "white woman." "Now, what is the law as it stands? It provides that any magistrate, upon receiving information that 'any white woman' has given birth to an illegitimate child, 'may issue his warrant' for her apprehension, and, when she is brought before him, 'require her to give security to indemnify the county from any charge that may accrue by means of such child, and, upon neglect or refusal, shall commit her to the custody of the sheriff of the county, to be by him kept until she shall give such security,' but, if she discloses on oath the father of the child, then it is made the duty of the magistrate 'to discharge her, and to cause the father to be arrested, and to give security in the sum of $80 to indemnify the county from all charges that may arise for the maintenance of the child.'" This law not differentiating the race of fathers but of white mothers and black mothers. Holidng that there is not equal protection issue as disclosing the father's name will relieve any punishemnt. |
| Law type: | |
| Full name: | Pius J. Plunkard vs. The State of Maryland |
| Court: | Court of Appeals of Maryland |