Opinion ID: 1937752
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: enhancement hearing/habitual criminal act

Text: Juhl contends that the enhanced penalty under the Nebraska habitual criminal act, §§ 29-2221 et seq., is unavailable in view of the discrepancy between the dates alleged in the information and the dates established by the State's proof at the enhancement hearing. For application of the enhanced penalty under the Nebraska habitual criminal act, the information must contain allegations that the defendant has been (1) twice previously convicted of a crime, (2) sentenced for the previous convictions, and (3) committed to prison for a term of not less than 1 year for each of the previous convictions and sentences. State v. Luna, 211 Neb. 630, 319 N.W.2d 737 (1982). As we have previously noted in this opinion, the date for Juhl's sentencing in the state court was February 5, 1982, not February 8, 1982, as alleged in the information against Juhl. Also, the date for Juhl's conviction in federal court was November 14, 1985, not November 27, 1985, as alleged in the information. The trial court received evidence which established the correct dates for the imposition of sentences in the state court and conviction in federal court. With the exception of an erroneous admission or exclusion of evidence, a defendant, as the appellant claiming reversible error in a criminal case, must demonstrate that a trial court's conduct, whether action or inaction during the proceeding against the defendant, prejudiced or otherwise adversely affected a substantial right of the defendant. See, State v. Pettit, 233 Neb. 436, 445 N.W.2d 890 (1989) (rejection of appellant's tendered instruction); State v. Irish, 223 Neb. 578, 391 N.W.2d 137 (1986) (jury instruction); State v. LeBron, 217 Neb. 452, 349 N.W.2d 918 (1984) (overruling appellant's motion for mistrial). Cf., Bishop v. Farm Bureau Life Ins. Co., 228 Neb. 74, 421 N.W.2d 423 (1988) (rejection of appellant's tendered instruction); Hyde v. Cleveland, 203 Neb. 420, 279 N.W.2d 105 (1979) (irregularity in order of proof); Insurance Co. of North America v. Hawkins, 197 Neb. 126, 246 N.W.2d 878 (1976) (mischaracterization of procedure). Also, cf., State v. Cox, supra 231 Neb. at 504, 437 N.W.2d at 140 (In a jury trial of a criminal case, whether an error in admitting or excluding evidence reaches a constitutional dimension or not, an erroneous evidential ruling results in prejudice to a defendant unless the State demonstrates that the error was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt); State v. Lenz, 227 Neb. 692, 419 N.W.2d 670 (1988). Juhl has not shown that he was misled or confused regarding the dates in question or that any prejudice resulted from the incorrect dates which initially appeared in the information. Therefore, Juhl has failed to demonstrate reversible error in the enhancement hearing for the habitual criminal penalty under § 29-2221.