State v. McColery, 297 Neb. 53

Scott McColery was charged with strangulation and posted a $5,000 appearance bond (bond set originally at $50,000).
After posting bond, McColery executed an "Assignment of Bond" in favor of his attorney for legal fees.
The State filed an affidavit of lien for overdue child support showing McColery owed over $18,000.
McColery moved to release the $5,000 bond funds to his attorney; the district court overruled the motion and retained the funds in court.
The State had not initiated garnishment proceedings at the time of the district court's order.
The court noted a third party claiming ownership (the attorney) could later intervene in garnishment proceedings under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1030.03.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether the district court's order denying release of bond funds is a final, appealable order	McColery: the court erred as a matter of law by refusing to release funds to his attorney	State: the order does not affect a substantial right; it neither awards funds to anyone nor starts garnishment; appeal is premature	The order is not final or appealable; appeal dismissed because it does not affect a substantial right

Big John’s Billiards v. State, 283 Neb. 496 (addresses what constitutes affecting a substantial right)
Sutton v. Killham, 285 Neb. 1 (discusses final order and substantial-right principles)
Carlos H. v. Lindsay M., 283 Neb. 1004 (related to final order analysis)
Pearce v. Mutual of Omaha Ins. Co., 293 Neb. 277 (applies substantial-right standard)
Cattle Nat. Bank & Trust Co. v. Watson, 293 Neb. 943 (clarifies when an order diminishes a claim or defense)