Steines v. Franklin County was a United States Supreme Court case that was decided in 1871. The case involved a dispute between a landowner, Steines, and the county of Franklin, Ohio. Steines had purchased a tract of land in the county and had paid taxes on it for several years. However, the county had failed to issue a deed for the land, and Steines sued the county for the deed. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Steines, finding that the county had a duty to issue a deed for the land. The Court held that the county was obligated to issue a deed for the land, regardless of whether or not the taxes had been paid. The Court also held that the county was liable for damages for failing to issue the deed. The decision in Steines v. Franklin County established that counties have a duty to issue deeds for land that has been purchased and taxes paid. The decision also established that counties can be held liable for damages if they fail to issue a deed. This decision has been cited in numerous subsequent cases involving disputes between landowners and counties.

In the case of Steines v. Franklin County, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a county could be held liable for damages caused by its failure to maintain a bridge in good repair. The majority opinion found that counties were not liable for such damages, but Justice Field dissented from this decision and argued that counties should be held responsible when they fail to properly maintain public works like bridges. He reasoned that it is within the scope of their duties as local governments and thus they should bear responsibility if something goes wrong due to their negligence or lack of care. Furthermore, he noted that allowing citizens who suffer losses because of such negligence would provide an incentive for counties to take better care with public works projects so as not avoid similar situations in the future.