The People of the State of New York v. . Moses J. Jackson

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division’s order, holding that the indictment of Coroner Moses J. Jackson for bribery was sufficient and that a coroner is a judicial officer liable under Penal Code § 72 regardless of whether he actually possessed jurisdiction over the death. The Court explained that a motion in arrest of judgment may be granted only when the court lacks jurisdiction or the facts charged do not constitute a crime, and that an official act performed under the color of office satisfies the statutory definition of a corrupt official proceeding.