Court Opinion

ID: 9855850
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 06:32:13.246151+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:37:13.473031
License: Public Domain

Caporale, J.,
concurring.
I recognize that the constitutionality of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-497.03 (Reissue 1993) has not been put in issue. However, I humbly suggest that such circumstance does not relieve us of our obligation to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. See Neb. Code of Jud. Cond., Canon 2 (rev. 1992).
It seems to me that § 60-497.03 impermissibly purports to impose upon an employee of the judicial department, the State Court Administrator, a duty more appropriately belonging to an executive department attorney. See, Neb. Const. art. II, § 1 (unless specifically provided otherwise, member of one of three distinct departments of government is prohibited from exercising power properly belonging to either of other departments); In re Interest of Constance G., ante p. 96, 575 N.W.2d 133 (1998). While the record does not reveal whether the administrator in fact consulted with the Director of Motor Vehicles as contemplated by § 60-497.03, and for that reason I must acquiesce in the majority’s judgment, a reasonable motorist might nonetheless well reason that such was done and question how such consultation influenced the judgment of this court.
I respectfully submit that we ought to make clear that this court will give any statute purporting to assign executive or legislative duties to its employees the same deference it has given Neb. Rev. Stat. § 24-212 (Reissue 1995), purporting to require its reporter to show the name of the judge writing an opinion; that is, none. See, e.g., State ex rel. NSBA v. Valgora, ante p. 267, 576 N.W.2d 468 (1998); DeBacker v. Brainard, 183 Neb. 461, 161 N.W.2d 508 (1968); Dobesh v. Associated Asphalt Contractors, 137 Neb. 1, 288 N.W. 32 (1939), judgment *614vacated 137 Neb. 342, 289 N.W. 369. After all, if any institution of government ought to make clear that it does not go along to get along, it is the judiciary.