If the defendant in the writ shall deem the damages laid in the writ excessive, he or she may, before giving bond under the provisions of this chapter, complain in writing to any justice of the court to which the writ is returnable, requesting their reduction; and the justice may, after due notice to the plaintiff in the writ, or to his or her attorney, and upon cause shown, reduce the damages, and the amount so fixed shall be the penal sum in the bond.
History of Section.
C.P.A. 1905, § 539; G.L. 1909, ch. 300, § 17; G.L. 1923, ch. 350, § 17; G.L. 1938, ch. 547, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 10-5-14.