Opinion ID: 2655132
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: standard of review

Text: [1] Parties who wish to secure appellate review of their claims must abide by the rules of the Nebraska Supreme Court.4 Any party who fails to properly identify and present its claim does so at its own peril.5 [2,3] Brian’s appellate brief to the Court of Appeals lists its assignments of error under the argument section instead of under a separate heading. Section 2-109(D)(1)(d), (e), and (f) requires a separate section for assignments of error, des­ ignated as such by a heading, and also requires that the sec­ tion be located after a statement of the case and before a list of controlling propositions of law. We have previously held that assignments of error consisting of headings or subparts of the argument section do not comply with the mandate of § 2-109(D)(1)(e).6 4 In re Guardianship & Conservatorship of Larson, 270 Neb. 837, 708 N.W.2d 262 (2006). 5 Id. 6 In re Interest of Jamyia M., 281 Neb. 964, 800 N.W.2d 259 (2011). Nebraska Advance Sheets STEFFY v. STEFFY 537 Cite as 287 Neb. 529 [4,5] In this situation, an appellate court may proceed as though Brian had failed to file a brief or, alternatively, may examine the proceedings for plain error.7 The decision to pro­ ceed on plain error is at the discretion of the appellate court.8 [6] As did the Court of Appeals, we choose to review the record for plain error. Plain error is error plainly evident from the record and of such a nature that to leave it uncorrected would result in damage to the integrity, reputation, or fairness of the judicial process.9 [7] Where credible evidence is in conflict on a material issue of fact, the appellate court considers, and may give weight to, the fact that the trial court heard and observed the witnesses and accepted one version of the facts rather than another.10