Opinion ID: 1753624
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Record on Appeal is Insufficient to Reach Walker's Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim

Text: Walker argues he received ineffective assistance of counsel because the public defenders failed to adequately investigate and prepare his case, did not call particular witnesses, and did not present an alibi defense. [14,15] A claim of ineffective assistance of counsel need not be dismissed merely because it is made on direct appeal. State v. Faust, 265 Neb. 845, 660 N.W.2d 844 (2003). The determining factor is whether the record is sufficient to adequately review the question. Id. If a matter has not been raised or ruled on at the trial level and requires an evidentiary hearing, an appellate court will not address the matter on direct appeal. Id. See, also, State v. Leibhart, 266 Neb. 133, 662 N.W.2d 618 (2003). Here, each of Walker's claims assert that it was trial counsel's omission to do something which rendered trial counsel ineffective. The reasons for these claimed omissions would require an evaluation of trial strategy and of matters not contained in the record. We conclude that the record is not sufficient to adequately review Walker's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel.