Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Plaintiff-Respondent v. County of Essex, Defendant, and Jessie Williams…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey held that no implied contract existed obligating Essex County to pay the full hospital bill for inmate Jessie Williams, and that the County's liability is limited to the period of the inmate's original sentence, with the hospital responsible for costs thereafter. The Court based its decision on the lack of authority of county officials to contract and on statutory duties limited to custodial care. The Court affirmed in part and reversed in part the Appellate Division, remanding for determination of the amount attributable to the sentence period. Justice Pollock filed a concurring opinion.