Opinion ID: 1642283
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: right to counsel at lineup

Text: In his second assignment of error, the defendant asserts that his right to have counsel present at the lineup was violated. The right to counsel at a police lineup attaches only at or after the time when adversary judicial proceedings have been initiated against a defendant by way of complaint, indictment, or information. State v. Evans, 224 Neb. 64, 395 N.W.2d 563 (1986). See, also, State v. Ellis, 219 Neb. 408, 363 N.W.2d 389 (1985); Kirby v. Illinois, 406 U.S. 682, 92 S.Ct. 1877, 32 L.Ed.2d 411 (1972). Language in State v. Wickline, 232 Neb. 329, 440 N.W.2d 249 (1989), State v. Smith, 209 Neb. 86, 306 N.W.2d 181 (1981), and State v. Nance, 197 Neb. 95, 246 N.W.2d 868 (1976), to the effect that until an information has been filed, a defendant has no constitutional right to have the assistance of counsel during a police showup is overly restrictive and is disapproved. Sanders' lineup was conducted on September 30, 1980. No adversary judicial proceedings for the crimes of attempted second degree murder, robbery, and use of a firearm to commit a felony were initiated until October 9, 1980. Since Sanders' right to counsel had not attached at the time of the lineup, this assignment of error is without merit.