State v. Sanders

490 N.W.2d 211, 241 Neb. 687, 1992 Neb. LEXIS 293
CourtNebraska Supreme Court
DecidedOctober 9, 1992
DocketS-91-338
StatusPublished
Cited by13 cases

This text of 490 N.W.2d 211 (State v. Sanders) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Nebraska Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Sanders, 490 N.W.2d 211, 241 Neb. 687, 1992 Neb. LEXIS 293 (Neb. 1992).

Opinion

White, J.

Appellant, Aubrey W. Sanders, and a codefendant were arrested in November 1987 in connection with three burglaries involving three tire stores. Since no evidence linked the recovered tires and the third burglarized tire store, appellant was charged with only two counts of burglary, in violation of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-507(1) (Reissue 1989). Appellant pled guilty and was sentenced to 2 years’ probation, 180 days in the Douglas County jail, court costs, and restitution in the amount of $333.21, or one-half the total damages arising out of the burglaries.

While on probation, appellant was charged with shoplifting in the State of Iowa on January 24, 1990, thereby violating the *689 terms of his probation. Appellant pled guilty to violation of probation on February 8 and was sentenced to 3 to 10 years’ imprisonment on each of the burglary counts, to be served consecutively. Credit was granted for 212 days served. Appellant’s attorney delayed his filing of a direct appeal and instead filed a motion for sentence reduction, which was not ruled upon until more than 30 days after the sentencing date, thereby barring appellant’s direct appeal. Sanders appeals from the district court’s order denying his motions for postconviction relief, appointment of counsel, and an evidentiary hearing.

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

Appellant alleges, in summary, that the district court erred by denying his constitutional right to due process under the 14th Amendment by nature of the following: accepting a guilty plea which had not been entered into knowingly or intelligently, imposing sentences for burglary and probation which did not comply with the statutory provisions, denying appellant his right of appeal, denying appellant his right to inspect his presentence investigation report and refute erroneous information contained therein, and denying appellant the effective assistance of counsel. Appellant further generally alleges that the court erred by denying an evidentiary hearing on the matter, not appointing counsel to represent appellant in the postconviction proceedings, and failing to provide appellant the opportunity to amend the postconviction motion prior to dismissal.

DISCUSSION

An evidentiary hearing on a postconviction motion is required on an appropriate motion containing factual allegations which, if proved, constitute an infringement of the movant’s rights under the Nebraska or federal Constitution. See, State v. Schneckloth, 235 Neb. 853, 458 N.W.2d 185 (1990); State v. Start, 229 Neb. 575, 427 N.W.2d 800 (1988); State v. Jackson, 226 Neb. 857, 415 N.W.2d 465 (1987); State v. Malek, 219 Neb. 680, 365 N.W.2d 475 (1985). In an appeal involving a proceeding for postconviction relief, the lower court’s findings will be upheld unless clearly erroneous. State v. Rubek, 225 Neb. 477, 406 N.W.2d 130 (1987).

*690 DUE PROCESS VIOLATIONS: INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL

Within appellant’s ineffective assistance of counsel argument, he complains that he has been deprived of a fair sentence, his right of direct appeal, his right to inspect the presentence investigation report, and a voluntary and intelligent guilty plea. Appellant alleged that his attorney did review the presentence investigation, but did not afford appellant the opportunity to personally review the report and rebut allegations contained therein.

Appellant further alleges that his court-appointed counsel failed to inform him that forcible breaking and entering was a necessary element for the charge of burglary and that appellant’s failure to do so constituted a viable defense to the charge; hence, he contends that his guilty plea was not knowingly or intelligently made.

The evidence was uncontested that appellant had been approached by the codefendant 2 weeks prior to the burglaries and was asked for his assistance in the endeavor. The codefendant offered to award appellant $1,000 for his participation in the burglaries, to be paid out of the proceeds from the sale of the stolen merchandise. Two weeks later, appellant agreed to participate, and he did so on the night of the burglaries. He consistently testified that he had merely driven the vehicle, had not entered or carried the stolen goods, and had not so much as trespassed, as he claimed he had parked the getaway truck on the public streets.

Appellant’s contention that, due to these facts, he could not be charged with or convicted of burglary, clearly is contrary to Nebraska law. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-206 (Reissue 1989) specifically states that any person “who aids, abets, procures, or causes another to commit any offense may be prosecuted and punished as if he were the principal offender.” Aiding and abetting involves some participation in the criminal act and must be evidenced by some word, act, or deed. No particular acts are necessary; nor is it necessary that any physical part in the commission of the crime is taken, or that there was an express agreement therefor. Mere encouragement or assistance is sufficient. State v. Bennett, 219 Neb. 601, 365 N.W.2d 423 *691 (1985); State v. True, 210 Neb. 701, 316 N.W.2d 623 (1982). The assignment is without merit.

As to appellant’s complaint that he was not afforded an opportunity to inspect the presentence investigation report and rebut the manner in which his restitution was calculated, the contention is without merit. The presentence investigation does contain certain information about the existence of and losses resulting from the third tire store’s burglary; however, the fact remains that appellant was not charged with the third burglary, and no evidence suggests that this evidence was considered by the court in its acceptance of the guilty plea or at the sentencing phase.

Appellant claims that his sentence of restitution was excessive, not only because he was not apprised of the possibility that restitution could be ordered, but because a broken window in the burglary of the third tire store was factored into the restitution calculation. Appellant asserts that had he known restitution could be imposed, he would not have pled guilty to the charges. The failure to inform a defendant of the possibility of restitution as a sentence renders the entry of a plea of guilty involuntary and unintelligent in that regard and consequently prevents the imposition of an order of restitution. See State v. War Bonnett, 229 Neb. 681, 428 N.W.2d 508

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Bluebook (online)
490 N.W.2d 211, 241 Neb. 687, 1992 Neb. LEXIS 293, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-sanders-neb-1992.