Opinion ID: 1649653
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: county attorney and applicability of separation of powers

Text: First, we consider the DMV's argument that the office of the county attorney is part of a political subdivision rather than the executive branch and that therefore, the separation of powers clause is inapplicable. The extent to which the separation of powers clause applies in the relationship between the Legislature and political subdivisions like cities and counties is not entirely clear. Compare State v. Ure, 91 Neb. 31, 37-38, 135 N.W. 224, 226-27 (1912) (stating separation of powers clause does not attempt to limit the [L]egislature as to its power to prescribe the manner in which municipalities or local subdivisions of the state may administer their local affairs), with Searle v. Yensen, 118 Neb. 835, 226 N.W. 464 (1929) (stating that Legislature may delegate part of its legislative function to subdivision but only to extent that recipient is member of same branch of government), and State v. Neble, 82 Neb. 267, 117 N.W. 723 (1908) (suggesting that separation of powers clause extends to counties). To answer the DMV's argument, however, we need not resolve this ambiguity. Although the county attorney is a county officer, when the county attorney prosecutes cases, he or she does so not only on behalf of the county, but also on behalf of the state. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 23-1201 (Cum.Supp.2004). See, also, Dinsmore v. State, 61 Neb. 418, 85 N.W. 445 (1901). Thus, when prosecuting criminal cases, the county attorney is functioning as an arm of the executive branch of the state government and the separation of powers clause applies. Accord State v. Moore, 210 Neb. 457, 316 N.W.2d 33 (1982).