The Nebraska Law Review

Effective Utilization of a Questioned Document Examiner

Winsor C. Moore

I. Introduction

II. Document Examination as a Profession … A. Historical Development … B. Qualifications of the Document Expert

III. Development of a Document Case by the Attorney … A. General … B. Evidence of Invalidity … C. Classification of Questioned Documents … D. Capabilities of a Qualified Document Examiner … E. Care and Preservation of Disputed Document … F. Interviews with Prospective Witnesses … G. Acquisition of Standards … 1. General … 2. Collected Standards … 3. Requested Standards … H. Collateral Study

IV. Function of Document Examiner upon Referral and before Trial … A. Referral to Document Examiner … B. Types of Examination Made by Trained Examiner … C. Report of the Document Examiner … D. Preparation of Document Examiner for Trial … E. Pre-Trial Conference

V. Trial … A. General … B. Proof of Genuine Specimens … C. Establishing Qualifications of Document Examiner … D. Direct Testimony … E. Cross-Examination … F. Redirect Examination … G. Weight Given to Testimony of Examiner

VI. Post-Trial Conference … A. Critique … B. Fees

VII. Conclusion


Section 25-530—Venue or Jurisdiction?

R. H. Beatty

On October 26, 1957, the writer of this paper received a letter from the Chairman of the Judicial Council enclosing a copy of a communication sent to all the members of the Judicial Council suggesting the consideration by the Council of the advisability of seeking an amendment to Section 25-530 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes to provide for venue of actions against nonresident defendants growing out of damages caused by the operation of motor vehicles by such nonresidents of Nebraska while using the public highways of this state in the county in which the accident and damages occurred. The letter suggests that under present Nebraska laws, such a nonresident, when not physically present in Nebraska, can only be found in Lancaster County, Nebraska, where the Secretary of State of the State of Nebraska, his statutory agent, resides. The letter further states that several district judges in this state have held that such actions may be brought only in Lancaster County, Nebraska. A determination of the question as to whether an action against a nonresident of the State of Nebraska for damages caused by such nonresident in the operation of a motor vehicle upon the public streets or highways of Nebraska can be brought in any county other than Lancaster County, the residence of the statutory agent of the nonresident requires the examination and consideration of five sections of Nebraska statutes, to-wit: Sections 25-408, 25-409, 25-504, 25-521, and 25-530.


Inconsistent Jury Verdicts in Civil Actions

John C. McElhaney

I. Vicarious Liability of Co-Defendant … A. General Problem and Solution … B. Joint Tortfeasors as Defendants … C. Indemnity Cases … D. The Comparative Negligence Doctrine

II. Derivative Causes of Action … A. General Problem and Solution … B. Power to Grant a New Trial … C. Who May Complain of the Inconsistency

III. Separate Cases Consolidated for Trial … A. General Problem and Solution … B. The Right to a Jury Trial

IV. Other Related Fact Situations

V. General Comments on Inconsistencies … A. Reconciliation of Apparent Inconsistencies in the Verdicts … B. Validity of General Verdicts Based on Alternative Pleas … C. Verdicts Which Are Silent as to One Party Defendant

VI. Conclusion


The Use of Real Evidence

Donald P. Lay

I. Introduction

II. Objections to Use

III. Use by Defendant

IV. Illustrative Proof … A. Photographs … B. X-rays … C. Models, Charts, Diagrams, and Maps … D. Blackboards

V. Conclusion


Nebraska “Grade A” Dairy Regulation—A Study in Regulative Overlap

Deryl F. Hamann

I. Introduction … A. State Statutes Predating the 1957 “Grade A” Law … 1. 1951 Grade A Labeling Law … 2. General Milk Statutes … B. Municipal Ordinances

II. The New “Grade A” Law and Municipal Milk Control … A. Basic Policy Factors in Municipal Milk Control … B. Validity of Existing Municipal Ordinances … 1. Power of the Municipality to Legislate … 2. Pre-emption and Conflict—State versus Municipal Control … a. Occupation or Pre-emption of the Field … b. State-Municipal Conflict … 3. Interference with Liberty … C. Effect If Municipal Ordinances Are Generally Valid … 1. Confusion of Standards … 2. Inspection by Local Officials … D. The Reference Problem

III. “Grade A” and Other Nebraska Dairy Statutes

IV. Desirability of the USPHS Milk Ordinance and Code

V. Suggested Changes … A. Adoption of the USPHS Milk Ordinance and Code … B. State-Municipal Control … C. Grade A and Other Nebraska Statutes … 1. Foreign substances … 2. Nonfat solids in skim milk … 3. Bacteria … 4. Tuberculosis inspection

VI. Conclusion


Unemployment Compensation during Labor Disputes

Virgil J. Haggart Jr.

I. Survey of Federal and State Legislation

II. Object and Purpose of Unemployment Compensation Legislation … A. Federal Legislation … B. State Legislation

III. Labor Dispute Disqualification Provisions … A. Survey of Labor-Dispute Disqualification Provisions … 1. “Stoppage of Work” … 2. “Labor Dispute” … 3. Removal of Disqualification … 4. “Participating” in Labor Dispute … 5. “Financing” the Labor Dispute … 6. “Directly Interested” in the Labor Dispute … 7. Same “Grade or Class” … B. Tradition of Neutrality of the Stat in Labor Disputes … 1. British Legislation and Experience … 2. Doctrine of Neutrality of the State in the United States … C. Application of Labor-Dispute Disqualification Provisions to Modern Collective Bargaining Conditions … 1. Summary of Application of Labor-Dispute Provisions … 2. Special Problems

IV. Conclusion

Appendix: Labor-Dispute Disqualification Provisions of State Unemployment Compensation Laws


Property Settlements and the Federal Gift Tax—A Survey

William E. Mooney Jr.

I. Antenuptial Agreements … A. History … B. 1954 Code … C. A Partial Solution

II. Support and Property Rights … A. History … B. 1954 Code

III. Support for Minor Children

IV. Separation and Divorce Agreements … A. History … B. 1954 Code … C. Legislative History of IRC § 2516 … D. Situations Where § 2516 Does Not Apply


Ethics in Legal Practice in Nebraska: A Comparative Analysis

William F. Swindler

I. Introduction

II. General Principles of Professional Practice … A. Statutory Bases … B. Adjudication … C. Selected Advisory Opinions … 1. Relations between Attorney and Court … 2. Relations between Attorney and Client … 3. Relations with Opposing Parties, Witnesses, and Counsel … 4. Conduct during Trial … 5. Fiduciary Principles … 6. Fees and Expenses … 7. Conduct of the Business of Law Practice … 8. General Professional Responsibilities

III. Summary


Constitutional Problems in School Redistricting

Charles G. Luellman

I. Constitutional Position of School Districts; Legislative Supremacy

II. Techniques … A. Redistricting by Indirection … 1. Raising the Educational Standards and Requirements … 2. Subsidies … B. Redistricting by Annexation … C. Redistricting by Administrative Action

III. Conclusion