State v. McColery, 297 Neb. 53

Scott McColery was charged with strangulation; bond set at $50,000 and he posted a $5,000 appearance bond.
McColery assigned the $5,000 bond to his private attorney for legal fees.
The State filed an affidavit of lien for overdue child support showing McColery owed >$18,000.
McColery moved to release the $5,000 bond to his attorney; the district court denied the motion and kept the funds in court.
The State had not yet initiated garnishment proceedings against the bond funds when the denial was entered.
McColery appealed the denial to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether the order denying release of bond funds is a final, appealable order	McColery: denial is ripe for appeal; order prevents release to his attorney	State: order does not affect any party’s substantive rights and is not final	Court: order is not final or appealable; appeal dismissed

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