MISPLEADING. Pleading incorrectly, or omitting anything in pleading which is essential to the support or defence of an action, is so called.

2. Pleading not guilty to an action of debt, is an example of the first; and when the plaintiff sets out a title not simply in a defective¹ manner, but sets out a defective title, is an example of the second. See 3 Salk. 365.

MISPRISION, crim. law. 1. In its larger sense, this word is used to signify every considerable misdemeanor, which has not a certain name given to it in the law; and it is said that a misprision is contained in every treason or felony whatever. 2. In its narrower sense it is the concealment³ of a crime.

2. Misprision of treason, is the concealment of treason, by being merely passive; Act of Congress of April 30, 1790, 1 Story's L. U. S. 83; 1 East, P. C. 139; for if any assistance be given, to the traitor⁴, it makes the party a principal, as there is no accessories in treason.

3. Misprison of felony, is the like concealment of felony, without giving any degree of maintenance to the felon²; Act of Congress of April 30, 1790, s. 6, 1 Story's L. U. S. 84; for if any aid be given him, the party becomes an accessory after the fact.

4. It is the duty of every good citizen, knowing of a treason or felony having been committed; to inform a magistrate⁵. Silently to observe the commission of a felony, without using any endeavors to apprehend⁶ the offender⁷, is a misprision. 1 Russ. on Cr. 43; Hawk⁸. P. C. c. 59, s. 6; Id. Book 1, c. s. 1; 4 Bl. Com. 119.

5. Misprisions which are merely positive, are denominated contempts or high misdemeanors; as, for example, dissuading⁹ a witness from giving evidence. 4 Bl. Com. 126.

MISREADING, contracts. When a deed is read falsely to an illiterate¹⁰ or blind man, who is a party to it, such false reading amounts to a fraud, because the contract never had the assent¹¹ of both parties. 5 Co. 19; 6 East, R. 309; Dane's Ab. c. 86, a, 3, 7; 2 John. R. 404; 12 John. R. 469; 3 Cowen, R. 537.

MISRECITAL, contracts, pleading. The incorrect recital¹² of a matter of fact, either in an agreement or a plea; under the latter term is here understood the declaration and all the subsequent pleadings. Vide Recital, and the cases there cited; and Bac. Ab. Pleas, &c. B. 5, n. 3.