City marshal petitioned for writ of mandamus or, in alternative for damages, based on claim that city had violated its statutory obligations to fund office of marshal for more than ten years.
Following bench trial, District Court issued judgment awarding marshal $1,527,371.58. Marshal appealed, and the Court of Appeal vacated in part and rendered judgment increasing award to marshal to $4,587,572.85. City petitioned for writ of certiorari.
The Supreme Court held that:
- City marshal had no cause of action against city to retroactively recover expenses accrued by marshal’s office over period of years, and
- City’s statutory obligation to fund office of city marshal was limited to physical office of marshal and its maintenance and expenses, which could be defrayed under statute that created special account for city marshal funded by revenues generated by costs assessed in city court criminal matters.