Autre action pendant
AUTRE ACTION PENDANT. A plea that another action is pending for the samecause.
2. It is evident that a plaintiff cannot have two actions at the sametime, for the same cause, against the same defendant; and when a secondaction is so commenced, and this plea is filed, the first action must bediscontinued, and the costs paid, and this ought to be done before theplaintiff replies nul tiel record. Grah. Pr. 98. See Lis Pendens.
3. But the suit must be for the same cause, in order to take advantageof it under these circumstances, for if it be for a different cause, as, ifthe action be for a lien, as, a proceeding in, rem to enforce a mechanic'slien, it cannot be pleaded in abatement in an action for the labor andmaterials. 3 Scamm. 201. See 16 Verm. 234; 1 Richards, 438; 3 Watts & S. 3957 Mete. 570; 9 N. H. Rep. 545.
4. In general, the pending of another action must be pleaded inabatement; 3 Rawle, 320; 1 Mass. 495; 5 Mass. 174, 179; 2 N. H. Rep. 36 7Verm. 124; 3 Dana, 157; 1 Ashm. 4, 2 Browne, 175 4 H. & M. 487; but in apenal action, at the suit of a common informer, the priority of a formersuit for the same penalty in the name of a third person, may be pleaded inbar, because the party who first sued is entitled to the penalty. 1 Chit.Pl. 443.
5. Having once arrested a defendant, the plaintiff cannot, in general,arrest him again for the same cause of action. Tidd. 184. But under specialcircumstance's, of which the court will judge, a defendant may be arrested asecond time. 2 Miles, 99, 100, 141, 142. Vide Bac. Ab. Bail in civil cases,B 3; Grah. Pr. 98; Troub. & H. Pr. 44; 4 Yeates, 206, 1 John. Cas. 397; 7Taunt. 151; 1 Marsh. 395; and Lis Pendens.