8-4-6. FORFEITURE BY JUDGE FOR REFUSAL OR DELAY IN ISSUING WRIT.

Any judge empowered by this chapter to issue writs of habeas corpus, who shall corruptly refuse to issue such a writ, when legally applied to, in a case where such writ may lawfully issue, or who shall, for the purpose of oppression, unreasonably delay the issuing of such writ, shall, for every such offense, forfeit to the prisoner or person aggrieved the sum not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00). Recovery of the penalty provided herein shall be no bar to a civil suit for damages.