Opinion ID: 1281029
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: clarification

Text: We first wish to clarify. Whether the error assigned is stated as the failure to direct a verdict, a claim of insufficiency of the evidence, or failure to grant a motion to dismiss for the failure of the State to present a prima facie case, the standard is the same, although the motions may be made at different times. This is because the issue raised is the same. We often cite a particular variation of phrasing to describe our standard of review based upon how the error has been labeled. The standard is the same. In the following cases, the same phrasing was used to describe our standard of review, regardless of how that issue was labeled by the appellant: State v. One 1985 Mercedes 190D Automobile, 247 Neb. 335, 526 N.W.2d 657 (1995) (sufficiency of the evidence); State v. Hirsch, 245 Neb. 31, 511 N.W.2d 69 (1994) (directed verdict); State v. White, 244 Neb. 577, 508 N.W.2d 554 (1993) (motion to dismiss). See, also, State v. Morley, 239 Neb. 141, 474 N.W.2d 660 (1991) (motion to dismiss for failure to make a prima facie case substantially identical to motion for directed verdict).