Opinion ID: 2029434
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 20

Heading: Technical Violations

Text: Relying on the three-justice plurality in Douglas, supra, Hergert contends that his violations were technical violations of law because many candidates make similar mistakes and the regulations are confusing. It is not clear that this argument is directed toward the January 11, 2005, filing, and to the extent that it is, we conclude it is without merit. In State v. Hastings, 37 Neb. 96, 128, 55 N.W. 774, 785 (1893), this court stated: It is better that the state should be confined to the remedy afforded by the Criminal Code and civil action on the bonds of its officers, than an alternative so dangerous and so liable to abuse as impeachment for technical violations of law, errors of judgment, mistake of fact, or even neglect of duty such as disclosed by the proofs in this case. We agree with this statement and recognize the danger of finding an impeachable misdemeanor for a technical violation of the law. However, the evidence of Hergert's intent regarding the January 11, 2005, filing does not show simple neglect or an error of fact or judgment. Rather, the facts show that Hergert was willfully blind to the actual date the Jackson-Alvarez expense was incurred and that Hergert deliberately acted to misrepresent that date. See Douglas, 217 Neb. at 280, 349 N.W.2d at 911 (Shanahan and Grant, JJ., and Moran, District Judge, dissenting).