Opinion ID: 4375093
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: [1] Appellate review of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is a mixed question of law and fact.1 When reviewing a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, an appellate court reviews the factual findings of the lower court for clear error.2 With regard to the questions of counsel’s performance or prejudice to the defendant as part of the two-pronged test articulated in Strickland v. Washington,3 an appellate court reviews such legal determinations independently of the lower court’s decision.4 [2] In reviewing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel on direct appeal, an appellate court decides only whether the undisputed facts contained within the record are sufficient to conclusively determine whether counsel’s performance was deficient and whether the defendant was or was not prejudiced by counsel’s alleged deficient performance.5 [3] Whether an appellate court is reviewing a sentence for its leniency or its excessiveness, a sentence imposed by a 1 State v. Filholm, 287 Neb. 763, 848 N.W.2d 571 (2014). 2 Id. 3 Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). 4 State v. Filholm, supra note 1. 5 See, State v. Mendez-Osorio, 297 Neb. 520, 900 N.W.2d 776 (2017); State v. Casares, 291 Neb. 150, 864 N.W.2d 667 (2015). - 292 - Nebraska Supreme Court A dvance Sheets 302 Nebraska R eports STATE v. SPANG Cite as 302 Neb. 285 district court that is within the statutorily prescribed limits will not be disturbed on appeal unless there appears to be an abuse of the trial court’s discretion.6