New York Court of Appeals

Cass Carr v. John E. Hoy

January 10, 19572 N.Y.2d 185

Summary

The Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a trover action by a photographer who sought to recover fees seized by a sheriff, holding that a plaintiff cannot recover money that is the fruit of his own illegal contract. The majority relied on longstanding public‑policy maxims prohibiting recovery from illegal conduct, while a dissent argued the forfeiture violated due‑process protections.