Opinion ID: 1814347
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: state's assignment of error

Text: The State contends that the Court of Appeals erred in finding merit in Howard's claim that the district court erred in failing to rule that the county court improperly rejected his request that the jury be instructed on careless driving, as it is a lesser-included offense of reckless driving. The State's assignment presents a question of law and is so reviewed. Careless driving is defined as driv[ing] any motor vehicle ... carelessly or without due caution so as to endanger a person or property.... Neb.Rev.Stat. § 60-6,212 (Reissue 1993). In contrast, as noted in part III(1)(a) above, reckless driving involves an indifferent or wanton disregard for the safety of others or property. A court must instruct on a lesser-included offense if (1) the elements of the lesser offense for which an instruction is requested are such that one cannot commit the greater offense without simultaneously committing the lesser offense and (2) the evidence produces a rational basis for acquitting the defendant of the greater offense and convicting the defendant of the lesser offense. State v. Huebner, 245 Neb. 341, 513 N.W.2d 284 (1994); State v. Parks, 245 Neb. 205, 511 N.W.2d 774 (1994); State v. White, 244 Neb. 577, 508 N.W.2d 554 (1993). In determining whether an offense is a lesser-included one, a court initially looks not to the evidence in a particular case, but, rather, only to the elements of the criminal offense. See, State v. McBride, 252 Neb. 866, 567 N.W.2d 136 (1997); State v. Null, 247 Neb. 192, 526 N.W.2d 220 (1995); White, supra . The threshold question, therefore, is whether a driver can drive recklessly without at the same time driving carelessly. While we have not confronted that question before, we have observed that [r]eckless driving lies somewhere between careless driving ... and willful reckless driving.... State v. Green, 238 Neb. 475, 486-87, 471 N.W.2d 402, 410 (1991). We cannot imagine a situation in which a motor vehicle could be driven with wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property without its also being driven without due caution. Therefore, careless driving is a lesser-included offense of reckless driving. That being so, the analysis must shift to the second prong of the test, whether the evidence presents a rational basis to support a possible verdict for acquittal of reckless driving and conviction of careless driving. In that regard, we recall that during his travel on Interstate 80, Howard closely followed Vogler's vehicle and failed to back off when Vogler slowed; cut off a minivan so abruptly that the woman driving it had to slam on her brakes and swerve onto the shoulder of the road; sped away from Vogler who was driving at the speed limit; followed a vehicle at 60 miles per hour with only 10 feet between the two vehicles; switched lanes in front of a vehicle, cutting it off; passed a semitrailer truck by driving on the shoulder; accelerated to a speed of approximately 100 miles per hour; and drove a vehicle after having had three drinks and nothing to eat. The sum of these actions exemplifies recklessness, as defined in Green, 238 Neb. at 487, 471 N.W.2d at 410, i.e., a `disregard for or indifference to the safety of another or for the consequences of one's act.' An instruction on a lesser-included offense is not appropriate when there is no evidence submitted that would offer a rational basis for acquitting the defendant of the greater offense and convicting him of the lesser offense. Huebner, supra . See State v. Tamburano, 201 Neb. 703, 271 N.W.2d 472 (1978). Where the prosecution has offered uncontroverted evidence on an element necessary for a conviction of the greater crime but not necessary for the lesser offense, a duty rests on the defendant to offer at least some evidence to dispute this issue if he or she wishes to have the benefit of a lesser offense instruction. Huebner, supra ; Tamburano, supra . Howard introduced no evidence to dispute the wealth of evidence the State adduced on the issue of his recklessness. The State's assignment of error is therefore meritorious.