Judge certifies probable cause

Where a public authority, acting bona fide in the execution of his duty, commits any act which may then be, or subsequently prove to be illegal, and a verdict is obtained against him, the judge or court, before whom the cause is tried, may certify, if such judge or court thinks fit, that there was reasonable and probable cause to warrant the public authority in having acted or assumed to act in the manner he did, and in that case the verdict shall be reduced to ten cents, and the plaintiff shall not receive any damages or costs.