Court Opinion

ID: 1035857
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-07-31 00:02:53.169856+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:28:35.407633
License: Public Domain

Decisions      of the     Nebraska Court of Appeals
	                                 GLANTZ v. DANIEL	89
	                                Cite as 21 Neb. App. 89

from December 1, 2009, through November 30, 2010, and
prospective support from December 1, 2010, to the time of
the new trial.
	Affirmed in part, and in part reversed
	                    and remanded with directions.

                       Diane S. Glantz, appellant, v.
                        Michelle Daniel, appellee.
                                     ___ N.W.2d ___

                          Filed July 30, 2013.    No. A-12-673.

 1.	 Statutes: Appeal and Error. Statutory interpretation presents a question of law,
     which an appellate court resolves independently of the trial court.
 2.	 Judgments: Injunction: Appeal and Error. A protection order is analogous to
     an injunction. Accordingly, the grant or denial of a protection order is reviewed
     de novo on the record.
 3.	 Moot Question: Jurisdiction: Appeal and Error. Because mootness is a jus-
     ticiability doctrine that operates to prevent courts from exercising jurisdiction,
     an appellate court reviews mootness determinations under the same standard of
     review as other jurisdictional questions.
 4.	 Judgments: Jurisdiction: Appeal and Error. When a jurisdictional question
     does not involve a factual dispute, its determination is a matter of law, which
     requires an appellate court to reach a conclusion independent of the decisions
     made by the lower courts.
 5.	 Jurisdiction: Appeal and Error. Before reaching the legal issues presented for
     review, it is the duty of an appellate court to settle jurisdictional issues.
 6.	 Courts: Judgments. In the absence of an actual case or controversy requiring
     judicial resolution, it is not the function of the courts to render a judgment that is
     merely advisory.
 7.	 Moot Question: Words and Phrases. A case becomes moot when the issues
     initially presented in the litigation cease to exist, when the litigants lack a legally
     cognizable interest in the outcome of litigation, or when the litigants seek to
     determine a question which does not rest upon existing facts or rights, in which
     the issues presented are no longer alive.
 8.	 Moot Question. As a general rule, a moot case is subject to summary dismissal.
 9.	 Moot Question: Appeal and Error. Under certain circumstances, an appellate
     court may entertain the issues presented by a moot case when the claims pre-
     sented involve a matter of great public interest or when other rights or liabilities
     may be affected by the case’s determination.
10.	 ____: ____. When determining whether a case involves a matter of public inter-
     est, an appellate court considers (1) the public or private nature of the question
  Decisions of the Nebraska Court of Appeals
90	21 NEBRASKA APPELLATE REPORTS

        presented, (2) the desirability of an authoritative adjudication for future guidance
        of public officials, and (3) the likelihood of future recurrence of the same or a
        similar problem.
11.	    Words and Phrases. As a general rule, in the construction of statutes, the word
        “shall” is considered mandatory and inconsistent with the idea of discretion.
12.	    Statutes: Intent: Words and Phrases. While the word “shall” may render a
        particular statutory provision mandatory in character, when the spirit and purpose
        of the legislation require that the word “shall” be construed as permissive rather
        than mandatory, such will be done.
13.	    Statutes. There is no universal test by which directory provisions of a statute
        may be distinguished from mandatory provisions.
14.	    ____. If a prescribed duty is essential to the main objective of a statute, the stat-
        ute ordinarily is mandatory and a violation will invalidate subsequent proceed-
        ings under it. If the duty is not essential to accomplishing the principal purpose
        of the statute but is designed to ensure order and promptness in the proceeding,
        the statute ordinarily is directory and a violation will not invalidate subsequent
        proceedings unless prejudice is shown.
15.	    Criminal Law: Time. The 5-day time requirement specified in Neb. Rev. Stat.
        § 28-311.09(7) (Reissue 2008) for requesting a hearing is not essential to accom-
        plishing the main objective of Nebraska’s stalking and harassment statutes.
16.	    Criminal Law: Judgments: Time. The purpose of protecting stalking and
        harassment victims is accomplished by allowing a court to promptly enter an ex
        parte protection order upon the filing of a petition.
17.	    Criminal Law: Statutes. Nebraska’s stalking and harassment statutes are given
        an objective construction, and the victim’s experience resulting from the perpetra-
        tor’s conduct should be assessed on an objective basis.
18.	    Criminal Law: Judgments. Under Nebraska’s stalking and harassment statutes,
        the inquiry is whether a reasonable person would be seriously terrified, threat-
        ened, or intimidated by the perpetrator’s conduct.

   Appeal from the District Court for Lancaster County: Robert
R. Otte, Judge. Affirmed.
       Mark T. Bestul, of Legal Aid of Nebraska, for appellant.
       No appearance for appellee.
       Inbody, Chief Judge, and Irwin and Moore, Judges.
   Moore, Judge.
   Diane S. Glantz appeals after the district court for Douglas
County dismissed an ex parte harassment protection order
previously entered in her favor against Michelle Daniel.
Although this appeal has become moot, we determine that the
issue on appeal regarding statutory construction falls within
        Decisions   of the  Nebraska Court of Appeals
	                       GLANTZ v. DANIEL	91
	                      Cite as 21 Neb. App. 89

the public interest exception to the mootness doctrine. We
hold that the requirement in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-311.09(7)
(Reissue 2008) to request a hearing within 5 days of service
of the ex parte protection order is directory rather than man-
datory. We therefore conclude that the district court did not
err when allowing the show cause hearing to proceed despite
Daniel’s request for hearing having been filed outside of the
5-day period. Additionally, the district court did not err in
concluding the evidence was insufficient to support the issu-
ance of the protection order. Accordingly, we affirm the dis-
missal of the protection order petition and ex parte harassment
protection order.

                  FACTUAL BACKGROUND
   On June 18, 2012, Glantz filed a form petition and affidavit
for a harassment protection order against Daniel pursuant to
§ 28-311.09. Daniel is the current girlfriend of Ron Spigner,
Glantz’ ex-husband. In her affidavit in support of the petition,
Glantz alleged that Daniel had undertaken a series of harassing
acts toward her. First, Glantz stated that Daniel appeared at
Glantz’ divorce hearing on June 15. Glantz alerted the bailiff
to Daniel’s presence, and the sheriff accompanied Glantz to
her car at the conclusion of the hearing. Next, Glantz alleged
that she suspected Daniel had “dumped” sugar into Glantz’
car’s gas tank on June 14 to prevent Glantz from attending
upcoming court hearings. Glantz also alleged that on or about
May 19, Spigner strangled her and then Daniel drove Spigner
away before the police arrived. Glantz claimed that in another
incident about a week earlier, she encountered Spigner and
Daniel together in a parking lot. During this encounter, Glantz
observed Daniel trying to “aggressively get out of [Daniel’s]
car” and was afraid Daniel was going to hurt her. Glantz also
alleged that she and Daniel exchanged a series of text messages
and that some of the later messages became offensive. Finally,
Glantz alleged that she believed Daniel had keys to her apart-
ment and car.
   On June 18, 2012, the district court entered an ex parte
harassment protection order. On that same day, the Lancaster
County sheriff’s office personally served Daniel with the
  Decisions of the Nebraska Court of Appeals
92	21 NEBRASKA APPELLATE REPORTS

petition and affidavit. Daniel filed a request for hearing on
June 27. On June 28, the district court ordered that a show
cause hearing be held on July 10.
   At the July 10, 2012, hearing, Glantz appeared with coun-
sel while Daniel appeared pro se. At the outset of the hearing,
Glantz’ attorney objected to the hearing’s proceeding as sched-
uled. Glantz’ attorney argued that § 28-311.09(7) required the
request for hearing to be filed within 5 days of service and
that Daniel’s request, filed 9 days after service, was not timely.
Because Daniel filed her request for hearing outside the 5-day
period, Glantz argued that the court should have concluded the
hearing at that point, affirming the ex parte order.
   When considering this argument, the district court ques-
tioned whether Glantz was prejudiced by the hearing’s pro-
ceeding as scheduled. Glantz’ attorney claimed that parties
are entitled to rely on the rules, but conceded that his client
was not otherwise prejudiced. Finding that Glantz suffered no
prejudice from a time extension, the district court overruled the
objection. In so ruling, the district court also noted that judi-
cial discretion allowed granting additional time for requesting
the hearing.
   Thereafter, Glantz testified regarding the allegations in her
petition. While the majority of Glantz’ testimony was essen-
tially a restatement of the allegations contained in her petition,
she gave an expanded account of her text message conversation
with Daniel. Glantz testified that over a series of approximately
80 text messages, Daniel stated that she had been in a relation-
ship with Spigner for a year, that she was 4 weeks pregnant,
and that Spigner was using Glantz only for a place to live.
Glantz also testified that some name calling occurred during
this text message conversation. However, she stated that the
messaging was not violent or threatening.
   Glantz also testified about other suspicious activity that
occurred after she petitioned the court for a protection
order. Glantz could not confirm that Daniel was involved
in this activity, but believed that strange events were taking
place around her apartment. Daniel declined to conduct any
cross-examination.
         Decisions   of the  Nebraska Court of Appeals
	                        GLANTZ v. DANIEL	93
	                       Cite as 21 Neb. App. 89

   After Glantz’ testimony, Daniel was sworn and testified.
During her brief testimony, Daniel stated that she did not want
to be involved with Glantz and that she had straightened out
her life after being released from prison on parole. Daniel
admitted to attending the divorce hearing, but stated that she
attended only because Spigner was unable to attend due to his
incarceration. Daniel also testified that Glantz had initiated
contact with her on various occasions and had even contacted
Daniel’s parole officer. Daniel denied “dump[ing]” sugar in
Glantz’ car’s gas tank and denied ever threatening Glantz.
   At the conclusion of the parties’ testimony, the district court
determined that it would not issue a harassment protection
order or continue the ex parte order. While explaining its rul-
ing, the court emphasized that issuing a protection order could
have serious consequences on Daniel’s parole status.
   Glantz appeals the district court’s dismissal of the ex parte
protection order.
                  ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
  Glantz assigns, summarized and restated, that the district
court erred in allowing the show cause hearing to proceed after
Daniel failed to request the hearing within the 5-day period
specified in § 28-311.09(7). Glantz also contends that the evi-
dence adduced at the hearing supported the affirmance of the
ex parte protection order.
                   STANDARD OF REVIEW
   [1] Statutory interpretation presents a question of law, which
an appellate court resolves independently of the trial court. See
State v. Graff, 282 Neb. 746, 810 N.W.2d 140 (2011).
   [2] A protection order is analogous to an injunction.
Mahmood v. Mahmud, 279 Neb. 390, 778 N.W.2d 426 (2010).
Accordingly, the grant or denial of a protection order is
reviewed de novo on the record. Id.
   [3,4] Mootness does not prevent appellate jurisdiction. But,
because mootness is a justiciability doctrine that operates to
prevent courts from exercising jurisdiction, an appellate court
reviews mootness determinations under the same standard of
review as other jurisdictional questions. Dowd Grain Co. v.
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94	21 NEBRASKA APPELLATE REPORTS

County of Sarpy, 19 Neb. App. 550, 810 N.W.2d 182 (2012).
When a jurisdictional question does not involve a factual dis-
pute, its determination is a matter of law, which requires an
appellate court to reach a conclusion independent of the deci-
sions made by the lower courts. Id.

                            ANALYSIS
Mootness.
    [5,6] Before reaching the legal issues presented for review,
it is the duty of an appellate court to settle jurisdictional issues.
Muzzey v. Ragone, 20 Neb. App. 669, 831 N.W.2d 38 (2013).
In the absence of an actual case or controversy requiring judi-
cial resolution, it is not the function of the courts to render
a judgment that is merely advisory. Professional Firefighters
Assn. v. City of Omaha, 282 Neb. 200, 803 N.W.2d 17 (2011).
Therefore, we must first determine whether the expiration of
the time that the protection order would have been in effect,
had it been extended, renders this appeal moot.
    [7,8] A case becomes moot when the issues initially pre-
sented in the litigation cease to exist, when the litigants lack
a legally cognizable interest in the outcome of litigation, or
when the litigants seek to determine a question which does
not rest upon existing facts or rights, in which the issues
presented are no longer alive. Muzzey v. Ragone, supra. As
a general rule, a moot case is subject to summary dismissal.
Kuhn v. Wells Fargo Bank of Neb., 278 Neb. 428, 771 N.W.2d
103 (2009).
    [9] The ex parte protection order in the present case was
entered on June 18, 2012, and, had it been extended, would
have been effective until June 18, 2013. Thus, the issues pre-
sented in this appeal have ceased to exist. However, under cer-
tain circumstances, an appellate court may entertain the issues
presented by a moot case when the claims presented involve a
matter of great public interest or when other rights or liabilities
may be affected by the case’s determination. Hauser v. Hauser,
259 Neb. 653, 611 N.W.2d 840 (2000); Gernstein v. Allen, 10
Neb. App. 214, 630 N.W.2d 672 (2001).
         Decisions   of the  Nebraska Court of Appeals
	                        GLANTZ v. DANIEL	95
	                       Cite as 21 Neb. App. 89

   [10] When determining whether a case involves a matter of
public interest, an appellate court considers (1) the public or
private nature of the question presented, (2) the desirability of
an authoritative adjudication for future guidance of public offi-
cials, and (3) the likelihood of future recurrence of the same or
a similar problem. Id. Applying these factors to this case, we
conclude this matter falls within the public interest exception.
Because this case involves the interpretation of statute, it is
undoubtedly a public question. Additionally, the fact that there
is no previous interpretation of the statute’s time limitation for
requesting a hearing leads us to conclude that this decision
will provide valuable guidance to the lower courts. Finally,
due to the multitude of harassment protection order cases filed
in Nebraska, we believe a similar situation is likely to arise in
the future.
   Thus, although we recognize that the issue of whether the ex
parte harassment protection order should have been extended is
now moot, we find the public interest exception to the moot-
ness doctrine applies, permitting us to address the merits of
this case.
Timeframe for Requesting Hearing
Under § 28-311.09(7).
   On appeal, Glantz renews her argument that the plain lan-
guage of § 28-311.09(7) requires a respondent to an ex parte
protection order to request a hearing no later than 5 days
after receiving service. Section 28-311.09(7) provides in per-
tinent part:
      Any order issued under subsection (1) of this section
      may be issued ex parte without notice to the respondent
      if it reasonably appears from the specific facts shown
      by affidavit of the petitioner that irreparable harm, loss,
      or damage will result before the matter can be heard on
      notice. . . . If the respondent wishes to appear and show
      cause why the order should not remain in effect for a
      period of one year, he or she shall affix his or her current
      address, telephone number, and signature to the form and
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96	21 NEBRASKA APPELLATE REPORTS

      return it to the clerk of the district court within five days
      after service upon him or her.
Based on her reading of this statute, Glantz contends that
the word “shall” mandates that any hearing request be made
within 5 days.
   [11-14] In addressing this argument, we begin by reviewing
various principles of statutory construction. As a general rule,
in the construction of statutes, the word “shall” is considered
mandatory and inconsistent with the idea of discretion. State
v. Hense, 276 Neb. 313, 753 N.W.2d 832 (2008); Hendrix
v. Sivick, 19 Neb. App. 140, 803 N.W.2d 525 (2011). See,
also, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 49-802(1) (Reissue 2010) (when word
“shall” appears, mandatory or ministerial action is presumed).
Nonetheless, while the word “shall” may render a particular
statutory provision mandatory in character, when the spirit
and purpose of the legislation require that the word “shall” be
construed as permissive rather than mandatory, such will be
done. Hendrix v. Sivick, supra. There is no universal test by
which directory provisions of a statute may be distinguished
from mandatory provisions. Troshynski v. Nebraska State Bd.
of Pub. Accountancy, 270 Neb. 347, 701 N.W.2d 379 (2005);
State v. Donner, 13 Neb. App. 85, 690 N.W.2d 181 (2004). To
aid in these situations, the Nebraska Supreme Court has pro-
vided the following direction:
      “‘If the prescribed duty is essential to the main objective
      of the statute, the statute ordinarily is mandatory and a
      violation will invalidate subsequent proceedings under it.
      If the duty is not essential to accomplishing the principal
      purpose of the statute but is designed to [en]sure order
      and promptness in the proceeding, the statute ordinarily
      is directory and a violation will not invalidate subsequent
      proceedings unless prejudice is shown.’”
State v. $1,947, 255 Neb. 290, 297, 583 N.W.2d 611, 616-17
(1998) (quoting Matter of Sopoci, 467 N.W.2d 799 (Iowa 1991)).
   In applying the above principles, Nebraska appellate courts
have found certain statutory time limitations to be directory.
For example, in State v. $1,947, supra, the Nebraska Supreme
Court found the time limitations in the forfeiture statute, Neb.
         Decisions   of the  Nebraska Court of Appeals
	                        GLANTZ v. DANIEL	97
	                       Cite as 21 Neb. App. 89

Rev. Stat. § 28-431(4) (Reissue 1995), to be directory. Finding
that the purpose of the statute was to ensure that forfeiture of
property or money used in drug transactions was consistent
with the requirements of due process, the court concluded that
the statute’s time limitations were not central to this purpose.
State v. $1,947, supra.
   In Forgey v. Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 15 Neb.
App. 191, 724 N.W.2d 828 (2006), this court determined
that the time limitation set by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-498.01(2)
(Supp. 2003) was directory. Section 60-498.01(2) stated that
an arresting officer “shall within ten days” forward a sworn
report to the director of the Department of Motor Vehicles. We
concluded that the statute’s language was directory because
the failure to strictly adhere to that time limitation did not
interfere with the statute’s purpose of protecting the public
by quickly removing drunk driving offenders from the road.
Forgey v. Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles, supra. We also
based that decision on the fact that § 60-498.01(2) did not
attach any sanction to an officer’s failure to file a report within
the 10-day period. Forgey v. Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles,
supra. In Thomsen v. Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 16
Neb. App. 44, 741 N.W.2d 682 (2007), we similarly concluded
that the time limitation in § 60-498.01(3) (Reissue 2004) was
also directory.
   Similar reasoning has also been applied to time limita-
tions in juvenile cases and mental health proceedings. In In
re Interest of Brandy M. et al., 250 Neb. 510, 550 N.W.2d 17
(1996), the Nebraska Supreme Court determined that absolute
discharge from a delinquency petition is not statutorily man-
dated when a juvenile is not adjudicated within the required
time period. In In re Interest of Brandy M. et al., the court
concluded that the essence of the juvenile statutes was to pro-
tect the children’s best interests and that failure to comply with
the time limitations did not interfere with this purpose. In In re
Interest of E.M., 13 Neb. App. 287, 691 N.W.2d 550 (2005),
this court concluded that statutory language requiring a mental
health hearing within 7 days for any person held in custody
was directory.
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98	21 NEBRASKA APPELLATE REPORTS

   For the sake of a complete discussion, we are also mind-
ful of decisions adopting the opposite result. For example, in
State on behalf of Minter v. Jensen, 259 Neb. 275, 609 N.W.2d
362 (2000), the Nebraska Supreme Court found mandatory
the provision of the Nebraska Fair Housing Act directing the
Attorney General to file an action within 30 days of election
by a complainant, respondent, or aggrieved person to have the
claim decided in a civil action. See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 20-340(1)
(Reissue 2012). The court analyzed various sections of the
act establishing deadlines for certain actions, some of which
provided for procedures to allow action beyond the statutorily
established deadline. The court determined that no such excep-
tion or procedure was provided in § 20-340. The court found
that the time limitation in § 20-340(1) was essential to accom-
plishing one of the principal purposes of the act, which is to
“promptly advance the determination of claims, and ensure
that all parties are advised of the posture of the case and the
steps necessary for them to protect their own interests.” State
on behalf of Minter v. Jensen, 259 Neb. at 281, 609 N.W.2d
at 367. The court further concluded that because the 30-day
limitation is essential to the purpose of the statute, it does
not fall within the exception to the general rule that the word
“shall” is considered mandatory and inconsistent with the idea
of discretion. Id.
   In Stoetzel v. Neth, 16 Neb. App. 348, 744 N.W.2d 465
(2008), this court considered the 10-day time period for sub-
mitting a sworn report under § 60-498.01(5)(a) and concluded
the time period was mandatory. In that decision, we distin-
guished our prior cases Forgey v. Nebraska Dept. of Motor
Vehicles, 15 Neb. App. 191, 724 N.W.2d 828 (2006), and
Thomsen v. Nebraska Dept. of Motor Vehicles, 16 Neb. App.
44, 741 N.W.2d 682 (2007), wherein we held that similar time
provisions for submitting a sworn report under § 60-498.01(2)
and (3) were directory. First, § 60-498.01(5)(a) differs from
the other sections in that it provides the procedure in cases
where the results of a chemical test are not available to the
arresting officer while the arrested person is in custody and the
notice of revocation has not been served. In these situations,
the arrested person does not receive notice of the revocation
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	                       GLANTZ v. DANIEL	99
	                      Cite as 21 Neb. App. 89

until after the Department of Motor Vehicles has received a
sworn report from the arresting officer. Section 60-498.01(2)
and (3), in contrast, provides that verbal notice be given to the
arrested person of the intention to immediately confiscate and
revoke the operator’s license. Next, § 60-498.01(5)(a) contains
explicit language that “[i]f the sworn report is not received
within ten days [after receipt of the results of the chemical
test], the revocation shall not take effect.” This additional
language is not contained in § 60-498.01(2) and (3). We con-
cluded that this additional, explicit statutory language and the
need for prompt notice of license revocation proceedings when
the chemical test results are not available at the time of arrest
required the time provision of § 60-498.01(5)(a) to be manda-
tory. Stoetzel v. Neth, supra.
   [15,16] Based on our review of the statutory construc-
tion principles and the cases cited above, we conclude that
the 5-day time requirement specified in § 28-311.09(7) for
requesting a hearing is not essential to accomplishing the main
objective of Nebraska’s stalking and harassment statutes. Neb.
Rev. Stat. § 8-311.02(1) (Reissue 2008) provides the purpose
of those laws:
      It is the intent of the Legislature to enact laws dealing
      with stalking offenses which will protect victims from
      being willfully harassed, intentionally terrified, threat-
      ened, or intimidated by individuals who intentionally fol-
      low, detain, stalk, or harass them or impose any restraint
      on their personal liberty and which will not prohibit con-
      stitutionally protected activities.
The purpose of protecting stalking and harassment victims
is accomplished by allowing a court to promptly enter an
ex parte protection order upon the filing of the petition. See
§ 28-311.09(7). Upon the entry and service of the ex parte
order, the respondent is prohibited from interacting with the
petitioner and remains so restrained through the time prior to
any requested hearing. Consequently, the time limit for filing
a request for hearing does not affect the immediate protec-
tions afforded to stalking or harassment victims. Further,
§ 28-311.09 does not impose any sanction for failing to
request a hearing within the period. For these reasons, we
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100	21 NEBRASKA APPELLATE REPORTS

conclude that the requirement in § 28-311.09(7) to request a
hearing within 5 days of service of the ex parte order is direc-
tory rather than mandatory.
   Having found the time limitation in § 28-311.09(7) to be
directory, we turn to the particular facts of this case and a con-
sideration of whether Glantz was prejudiced by the delay. See
State v. $1,947, 255 Neb. 290, 583 N.W.2d 611 (1998). Here,
we observe that Glantz received the protections provided under
the ex parte order throughout the time preceding the hearing.
Further, Daniel’s request for a hearing was filed 9 days after
service, and thus, the delay was only 4 days. Finally, Glantz’
attorney stated that Glantz was not prejudiced by the late
request. Glantz was given full opportunity to present evidence
in support of her request for the protection order and did so.
Therefore, we conclude that even though Daniel did not timely
request a hearing, Glantz suffered no prejudice thereby and
the district court did not err in ordering and holding a show
cause hearing.

Sufficiency of Evidence.
   Glantz also contends that she adduced sufficient evidence
to establish that Daniel engaged in an intimidating course of
conduct. Glantz argues that the court ignored the evidence pre-
sented at the hearing and improperly based its dismissal on the
collateral consequences that a protection order might have on
Daniel’s parole.
   [17,18] In order to satisfy the definition of harassment,
Glantz must prove a course of conduct. Section 28-311.02(2)
provides in relevant part:
         (a) Harass means to engage in a knowing and willful
      course of conduct directed at a specific person which
      seriously terrifies, threatens, or intimidates the person and
      which serves no legitimate purpose;
         (b) Course of conduct means a pattern of conduct
      composed of a series of acts over a period of time, how-
      ever short, evidencing a continuity of purpose, includ-
      ing a series of acts of following, detaining, restrain-
      ing the personal liberty of, or stalking the person or
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	                       GLANTZ v. DANIEL	101
	                      Cite as 21 Neb. App. 89

      telephoning, contacting, or otherwise communicating
      with the person.
In analyzing § 28-311.02, the Nebraska Supreme Court has
concluded that Nebraska’s stalking and harassment statutes are
given an objective construction and that the victim’s experience
resulting from the perpetrator’s conduct should be assessed on
an objective basis. In re Interest of Jeffrey K., 273 Neb. 239,
728 N.W.2d 606 (2007). Thus, the inquiry is whether a reason-
able person would be seriously terrified, threatened, or intimi-
dated by the perpetrator’s conduct. Id.
   Our review of the record shows that Glantz testified that
Daniel committed a series of acts that Glantz found intimidat-
ing. However, some of Glantz’ testimony related to her suspi-
cions and belief that Daniel had taken certain action against
her, but Glantz was unable to adduce any confirming evidence
that Daniel was in fact the actor. While Daniel was present
at Glantz’ divorce hearing, Glantz did not testify to any other
conduct by Daniel at that time that would amount to harass-
ment under the statute. Further, the incident involving Daniel’s
“aggressively get[ting] out of [Daniel’s] car” did not involve
any threat made by Daniel against Glantz. Finally, Glantz’ own
testimony revealed that she did not consider the text message
conversation with Daniel to be threatening.
   As stated above, we review the issuance or dismissal of a
protection order de novo on the record. Additionally, where
credible evidence is in conflict on a material issue of fact, the
appellate court considers and may give weight to the fact that
the trial judge heard and observed the witnesses and accepted
one version of the facts rather than another. Prime Home Care
v. Pathways to Compassion, 283 Neb. 77, 809 N.W.2d 751
(2012); Cloeter v. Cloeter, 17 Neb. App. 741, 770 N.W.2d 660
(2009). Although the district court was mindful of the collat-
eral consequences an adverse ruling could potentially have on
Daniel’s parole status, we do not agree that the possibility of
collateral consequences was the sole impetus for the court’s
decision in the case. The court discussed the conflicting tes-
timony of the parties and concluded that continuation of the
protection order was not necessary.
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102	21 NEBRASKA APPELLATE REPORTS

   After our de novo review of the record, and giving weight to
the district court’s observation of the conflicting testimony, we
conclude that the district court’s decision to dismiss the protec-
tion order petition was not in error.
                         CONCLUSION
    Because of our conclusion that the time requirement speci-
fied in § 28-311.09(7) is directory, the district court did not
err in holding a show cause hearing despite Daniel’s untimely
filing. Additionally, the district court did not err in dismissing
Glantz’ protection order petition and the ex parte order.
                                                       Affirmed.