State v. Campbell ( 2017 )


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  • Nebraska Supreme Court Online Library
    www.nebraska.gov/apps-courts-epub/
    07/18/2017 08:11 AM CDT
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    STATE v. CAMPBELL
    Cite as 
    24 Neb. Ct. App. 861
    State of Nebraska, appellee, v.
    A licia R. Campbell, appellant.
    ___ N.W.2d ___
    Filed July 11, 2017.     No. A-16-836.
    1.	 Evidence: Appeal and Error. In reviewing a sufficiency of the evi-
    dence claim, whether the evidence is direct, circumstantial, or a com-
    bination thereof, the standard is the same: An appellate court does not
    resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility of witnesses, or
    reweigh the evidence; such matters are for the finder of fact.
    2.	 ____: ____. In reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence claim, the rel-
    evant question for an appellate court is whether, after viewing the evi-
    dence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier
    of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a
    reasonable doubt.
    3.	 Sentences: Appeal and Error. An appellate court will not disturb a sen-
    tence imposed within the statutory limits absent an abuse of discretion
    by the trial court.
    4.	 Judgments: Words and Phrases. An abuse of discretion occurs when a
    trial court’s decision is based upon reasons that are untenable or unrea-
    sonable or if its action is clearly against justice or conscience, reason,
    and evidence.
    5.	 Investigative Stops: Motor Vehicles: Probable Cause. A traffic viola-
    tion, no matter how minor, creates probable cause to stop the driver of
    a vehicle.
    6.	 Constitutional Law: Investigative Stops: Motor Vehicles: Police
    Officers and Sheriffs. Under Fourth Amendment case law, it is reason-
    able for an officer to request that a driver sit in the patrol car during a
    traffic stop.
    7.	 ____: ____: ____: ____. Once a motor vehicle has been lawfully
    detained for a traffic violation, the police officer may order the driver
    to get out of the vehicle without violating the Fourth Amendment’s pro-
    scription of unreasonable searches and seizures.
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    8.	 Investigative Stops: Motor Vehicles: Police Officers and Sheriffs. It
    is reasonable and lawful for an officer, during a traffic stop, to request
    that a driver exit his or her vehicle.
    9.	 Controlled Substances. A person possesses a controlled substance
    when he or she knows of the nature or character of the substance and of
    its presence and has dominion or control over it.
    10.	 Controlled Substances: Evidence: Circumstantial Evidence: Proof.
    Possession can be either actual or constructive, and constructive pos-
    session of an illegal substance may be proved by direct or circumstan-
    tial evidence.
    11.	 Controlled Substances. To be guilty of possession of a controlled sub-
    stance, the defendant must possess the controlled substance knowingly
    or intentionally.
    12.	 Controlled Substances: Proof. Mere presence at a place where a
    controlled substance is found is not sufficient to show constructive
    possession. Instead, the evidence must show facts and circumstances
    which affirmatively link the accused to the marijuana and parapher-
    nalia so as to suggest that he or she knew of it and exercised control
    over it.
    13.	 Investigative Stops: Motor Vehicles. The fact that one is the driver of
    a vehicle, particularly over a long period of time, creates an inference of
    control over items in the vehicle.
    14.	 Courts: Jurisdiction. While it is not a constitutional prerequisite for
    jurisdiction, the existence of an actual case or controversy is necessary
    for the exercise of judicial power.
    15.	 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 litiga-
    tion, 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.
    16.	 Convictions: Sentences: Moot Question: Appeal and Error. An
    appeal from a criminal conviction is not moot, even though a sentence
    for a criminal conviction has been fully served, when the defend­
    ant is subjected to collateral consequences resulting from the crimi-
    nal conviction.
    Appeal from the District Court for Lancaster County:
    A ndrew R. Jacobsen, Judge. Affirmed.
    Joe Nigro, Lancaster County Public Defender, and Shawn
    Elliott for appellant.
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    STATE v. CAMPBELL
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    Douglas J. Peterson, Attorney General, and Joe Meyer
    for appellee.
    Moore, Chief Judge, and Pirtle and Bishop, Judges.
    Pirtle, Judge.
    INTRODUCTION
    Alicia R. Campbell appeals her convictions and sentences
    in the district court for Lancaster County for failure to obey a
    lawful order of the Nebraska State Patrol, possession of mari-
    juana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. She challenges the
    sufficiency of the evidence for each offense and argues that her
    sentence for failure to obey a lawful order of the State Patrol is
    excessive. Based on the reasons that follow, we affirm.
    BACKGROUND
    On August 27, 2015, Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Kyle
    Gress was assigned to the traffic division and was working a
    targeted patrol along Highway 2 near Lincoln, Nebraska. He
    was in a marked patrol car and was in uniform. His primary
    duty was enforcing traffic laws. Around 5 p.m., he noticed a
    vehicle that appeared to be speeding. The posted speed limit
    was 65 miles per hour, and Gress estimated the vehicle was
    traveling about 80 miles per hour. He used the radar device in
    his patrol car and confirmed that the vehicle was speeding at
    79 miles per hour. He then initiated a traffic stop.
    Gress testified that once the vehicle stopped, he approached
    it on the passenger side. He testified that he does this for safety
    reasons when making stops, because it keeps him away from
    the traffic side of the vehicle. As he approached the vehicle,
    he noticed that the windows had a dark tint and that the
    passenger-side window was partially open. Gress thought this
    was unusual because most people roll the window down all the
    way when he approaches a vehicle. There was an adult male
    in the front passenger seat, later identified as Devin James,
    and Campbell’s 5-year-old daughter was in the back seat.
    Gress asked Campbell for her driver’s license and registration.
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    Campbell gave Gress her driver’s license and tried to locate
    her registration.
    Almost immediately upon Gress’ approaching the vehicle,
    James became involved and began talking over Campbell and
    Gress. James began video recording the stop on his cell phone
    by placing it at the window, which interfered with Gress’ view
    of the driver. There was also a rescue unit in the area with
    its siren on, which made it difficult for Gress to communi-
    cate with Campbell. Gress testified that as a result of these
    circumstances, he was having difficulty hearing and seeing
    Campbell. He asked Campbell to exit her vehicle and walk
    back to his patrol car so he could conduct the traffic stop.
    Gress walked over to the driver’s side of Campbell’s vehicle
    to make sure she exited safely. However, Campbell remained
    in her vehicle.
    Gress stayed on the driver’s side of the vehicle and asked
    her again to exit her vehicle so he could conduct the traffic
    stop. Gress stated that he did not recall telling Campbell the
    reason for the traffic stop, even though she asked him why
    she had been stopped. Campbell did not get out of her vehicle.
    Gress told her multiple times that she needed to exit her vehi-
    cle, but she did not comply. She asked for Gress’ supervisor to
    come to the location, and Gress stated that he had already tried
    to contact him. During this exchange, James repeatedly stated
    that Campbell was not going to get out of the vehicle. James
    continued talking over Gress and continued video recording
    the events, as well as narrating the video. James stated that he
    was transmitting the video through a “live-streaming app” on
    his cell phone. This caused Gress concern, and he told James
    to stop recording because it was an “officer safety issue.”
    Gress testified that due to James’ actions, he could not com-
    municate with Campbell. He testified that he felt James was
    trying to control the situation by not permitting him to speak
    to Campbell.
    Gress told Campbell that he was giving her a lawful order
    to get out of her vehicle and that if she did not comply, she
    would be arrested. Campbell did not comply with Gress’ order.
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    Gress told her she was under arrest and needed to exit the
    vehicle. Campbell still refused to get out of her vehicle.
    Gress next tried to reach into the vehicle through the
    driver’s-side window, which was partially down, to unlock the
    door which Campbell had previously locked. A struggle ensued
    when he did so, and Gress ended up breaking the driver’s-
    side window of the vehicle. He then tried reaching into the
    vehicle through the same window opening again. As a result
    of the struggle and broken glass, Gress had cuts on both of his
    arms. Gress subsequently disengaged from the struggle, backed
    away from the vehicle, and waited for other officers to arrive.
    Campbell exited the vehicle after two other troopers, includ-
    ing Gress’ supervising officer, arrived on scene. Campbell and
    James were both arrested and taken into custody.
    After Campbell and James were arrested, police conducted
    an inventory search. The search uncovered marijuana and sev-
    eral items of drug paraphernalia.
    The State filed an information charging Campbell with
    seven counts: (1) assault of an officer in the third degree, (2)
    failure to obey a lawful order of the State Patrol, (3) speeding,
    (4) failure to use a child passenger restraint, (5) no valid regis-
    tration, (6) possession of marijuana, and (7) possession of drug
    paraphernalia. Campbell pled not guilty to the charges.
    A jury trial was held on counts 1, 2, and 5, and a bench trial
    was held on counts 3, 4, 6, and 7. At the jury trial on counts 1,
    2, and 5, Gress testified, giving his account of the traffic stop
    as set forth above. During the testimony of Gress, the State
    offered and the court received into evidence the video of the
    traffic stop taken by the camera on Gress’ cruiser.
    Campbell testified in her own defense. She admitted that
    Gress told her to exit her vehicle and come back to his cruiser
    and that she did not comply. She testified that she did not get
    out of her vehicle because she was afraid. She stated that she
    was afraid because Gress did not tell her the reason for the stop
    when she asked him multiple times, he refused to look at her
    proof of insurance that she was trying to show him on her cell
    phone, and he disapproved of James’ recording the stop. She
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    stated that based on those actions, she did not know what his
    intentions were. Campbell further testified that she is a rape
    victim and that based on her prior trauma, she was afraid of
    going back to Gress’ cruiser with him. She also testified that
    she was concerned for her safety because Gress put his hand on
    his gun a few times during the traffic stop. Because of her fear,
    she told Gress to have his supervisor come to the scene and
    then she would exit her vehicle. She testified that she wanted
    the supervisor present to ensure her safety and to have a wit-
    ness to the interactions between her and Gress.
    Campbell also testified that during the encounter, she used
    her cell phone to call the 911 emergency dispatch service, at
    which point she perceived Gress to become upset. She admit-
    ted that the 911 dispatch officer told her that she should exit
    the vehicle, but that she was too afraid to do so given all that
    had occurred.
    James also testified in Campbell’s defense, and his video
    recording of the events was admitted into evidence.
    At the close of the State’s case in the jury trial, the district
    court sustained Campbell’s motion for a directed verdict as
    to count 5, no valid registration. The jury acquitted Campbell
    of count 1, assault of an officer in the third degree, but found
    her guilty of count 2, failure to obey a lawful order of the
    State Patrol.
    The bench trial on counts 3, 4, 6, and 7 was held after the
    other counts had been submitted to the jury. Sgt. Michael
    Grummert of the State Patrol testified for the State. As part of
    his job, he had received training on how to detect controlled
    substances, including marijuana, and had experience in doing
    so. He testified that he was familiar with what marijuana looks
    like and how it smells. He had also been trained in how mari-
    juana is ingested.
    Grummert conducted an inventory search of the vehicle
    after Campbell was arrested. He testified that during the
    search, he found a brown purse which contained a marijuana
    grinder, rolling papers, a marijuana pipe, and a small bag-
    gie of marijuana. Grummert testified that in his opinion, the
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    substance in the baggie was in fact marijuana. The purse was
    located on the back seat of the vehicle, behind the front pas-
    senger seat. Grummert testified that the purse appeared to
    be “a female’s purse” and noted that Campbell was the only
    adult female in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Grummert
    also found rolling papers, a second marijuana grinder, and a
    purple cylinder containing marijuana in what he described as a
    “brown leather carpet bag.” This bag was located on the mid-
    dle of the passenger seat. Grummert testified that the rolling
    papers, grinders, and pipe are used for ingesting marijuana.
    Finally, Grummert located a black leather bag on the back seat
    behind the driver’s seat which contained a black cylinder with
    marijuana residue and alcohol.
    After the bench trial, the district court found Campbell
    guilty of count 3, speeding; count 6, possession of marijuana;
    and count 7, possession of drug paraphernalia. The court found
    Campbell not guilty of count 4, failure to use a child passen-
    ger restraint.
    The district court subsequently sentenced Campbell to 7
    days in jail on count 2, failure to obey a lawful order, and
    ordered her to pay fines for the other infractions.
    ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
    Campbell assigns that the trial court erred in (1) finding
    there was sufficient evidence to convict her of failure to obey a
    lawful order of the State Patrol, (2) finding there was sufficient
    evidence to convict her of possession of marijuana, (3) find-
    ing there was sufficient evidence to convict her of possession
    of drug paraphernalia, and (4) imposing an excessive sentence
    on her conviction for failure to obey a lawful order of the
    State Patrol.
    STANDARD OF REVIEW
    [1,2] In reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence claim,
    whether the evidence is direct, circumstantial, or a combina-
    tion thereof, the standard is the same: An appellate court does
    not resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility
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    of witnesses, or reweigh the evidence; such matters are for
    the finder of fact. State v. Draper, 
    295 Neb. 88
    , 
    886 N.W.2d 266
    (2016). The relevant question for an appellate court is
    whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favor-
    able to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have
    found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable
    doubt. 
    Id. [3,4] An
    appellate court will not disturb a sentence imposed
    within the statutory limits absent an abuse of discretion by
    the trial court. State v. 
    Draper, supra
    . An abuse of discretion
    occurs when a trial court’s decision is based upon reasons that
    are untenable or unreasonable or if its action is clearly against
    justice or conscience, reason, and evidence. 
    Id. ANALYSIS Sufficiency
    of Evidence—
    Failure to Obey
    Lawful Order.
    Campbell first argues that the evidence was insufficient to
    convict her of failure to obey a lawful order of the State Patrol.
    Campbell was convicted of violating Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-2008
    (Reissue 2014), which states: “Any person who fails or refuses
    to obey any lawful traffic direction or any lawful order of the
    superintendent or any of the subordinate officers or employees
    of the Nebraska State Patrol . . . shall be deemed guilty of a
    Class III misdemeanor.”
    It is undisputed that Gress was an employee of the State
    Patrol and that Campbell failed to obey Gress’ order. Campbell
    focuses her argument on the lawfulness of Gress’ order. She
    contends that his order was not lawful because he never
    informed her of the reason for the traffic stop and because
    he asked her to exit her vehicle less than a minute after he
    approached the vehicle. She argues that when Gress’ actions
    are examined as a whole, it is evident that she had good reason
    to believe that Gress was not acting lawfully, nor within the
    scope of his duties.
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    The evidence shows that Gress asked Campbell to step out
    of her vehicle shortly after making contact. However, the tim-
    ing of Gress’ initial order does not make the order unlawful.
    His initial request was made because James was interrupt-
    ing Gress and was holding his cell phone up to the window,
    obstructing Gress’ view into the vehicle. There was also a
    rescue unit going by with its siren on, making it hard to com-
    municate with Campbell.
    At the time of Gress’ initial request to exit the vehicle,
    Campbell had no reason to question his authority. She was
    driving her vehicle 14 miles over the posted speed limit
    at the time she was stopped. Gress was in a marked patrol
    car and was in uniform. It was daylight at the time of the
    stop, and there was heavy traffic on Highway 2, where she
    was stopped.
    When Gress moved to the driver’s side of the vehicle, he
    continued to order Campbell to exit her vehicle so he could
    conduct the traffic stop. Campbell refused to comply, and the
    situation escalated from there.
    [5] In regard to Campbell’s contention that Gress’ order
    was unlawful because he did not tell her the reason for the
    traffic stop, she cites to no authority for her position and we
    find none. Gress stopped Campbell for speeding, a traffic vio-
    lation, and therefore he had probable cause to stop her. See
    State v. Verling, 
    269 Neb. 610
    , 
    694 N.W.2d 632
    (2005) (traf-
    fic violation, no matter how minor, creates probable cause to
    stop driver of vehicle). The fact that he did not tell her that
    she was stopped for speeding does not make his order to exit
    the vehicle unlawful.
    We conclude that Campbell’s argument that Gress’ order
    was not lawful is without merit. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-2005(1)
    (Reissue 2014) gives all officers of the State Patrol, as peace
    officers, the power to enforce “the Nebraska Rules of the Road,
    and any other law regulating the registration or operation of
    vehicles or the use of the highways.” As previously stated,
    Gress executed a traffic stop of Campbell’s vehicle because
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    Campbell was speeding, a traffic violation. Campbell does not
    argue that the stop was unlawful. Gress was in uniform and
    was driving a marked patrol car at the time of the stop. Gress
    testified that he ordered Campbell out of her vehicle in order
    to complete the traffic stop because James was interfering with
    the stop. The video footage from Gress’ cruiser, as well as the
    video taken by James, corroborates Gress’ testimony. Gress
    asked or ordered Campbell to exit her vehicle multiple times,
    and he told her that if she did not comply, she would be violat-
    ing a lawful order and would be arrested.
    [6-8] Under Fourth Amendment case law, the Nebraska
    Supreme Court has held that it is reasonable for an officer
    to request that a driver sit in the patrol car during a traffic
    stop. See State v. 
    Verling, supra
    . See, also, Pennsylvania v.
    Mimms, 
    434 U.S. 106
    , 
    98 S. Ct. 330
    , 
    54 L. Ed. 2d 331
    (1977)
    (once motor vehicle has been lawfully detained for traffic
    violation, police officer may order driver to get out of vehicle
    without violating Fourth Amendment’s proscription of unrea-
    sonable searches and seizures). Therefore, it is reasonable
    and lawful for an officer to request that a driver exit his or
    her vehicle.
    We conclude the evidence was sufficient to support a find-
    ing that Gress’ order was lawful and that Campbell refused to
    obey that lawful order. Accordingly, the evidence was suffi-
    cient to support a conviction for failure to obey a lawful order
    of the State Patrol.
    Sufficiency of Evidence—
    Possession of Marijuana
    and Possession of Drug
    Paraphernalia.
    Campbell next assigns that there was insufficient evi-
    dence to convict her of possession of marijuana and posses-
    sion of drug paraphernalia. She makes the same argument
    in regard to both assignments of error, so we will address
    them together. Campbell argues that the evidence was insuf-
    ficient, because James was in closer proximity to the purse
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    containing the baggie of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and
    had easier access to it. She also contends that her mere pres-
    ence in the vehicle was not enough to find her guilty of the
    two offenses.
    [9-11] A person possesses a controlled substance when he
    or she knows of the nature or character of the substance and
    of its presence and has dominion or control over it. State v.
    Rocha, 
    295 Neb. 716
    , 
    890 N.W.2d 178
    (2017). Possession can
    be either actual or constructive, and constructive possession of
    an illegal substance may be proved by direct or circumstantial
    evidence. 
    Id. “To be
    guilty, the defendant must possess the
    controlled substance ‘knowingly or intentionally.’” 
    Id. at 761,
    890 N.W.2d at 210.
    [12] Campbell did not have actual possession of the mari-
    juana and paraphernalia, so the question before us is whether
    there is sufficient evidence from which a trier of fact could
    reasonably infer that she was in constructive possession, i.e.,
    that she was aware of the presence of the marijuana and
    paraphernalia and had dominion or control over it. See State v.
    Howard, 
    282 Neb. 352
    , 
    803 N.W.2d 450
    (2011). Mere presence
    at a place where a controlled substance is found is not suffi-
    cient to show constructive possession. 
    Id. Instead, the
    evidence
    must show facts and circumstances which affirmatively link
    Campbell to the marijuana and paraphernalia so as to suggest
    that she knew of it and exercised control over it.
    [13] The purse was located on the back seat of the vehicle
    behind the passenger seat where James had been sitting. The
    purse contained the baggie of marijuana, as well as drug para-
    phernalia. The purse belonged to either Campbell or James, as
    they were the only two adults in the vehicle. When Grummert
    was asked if he was able to determine who the owner of
    the purse was, he testified that it appeared to be “a female’s
    purse” and that Campbell was the only adult female inside the
    vehicle at the time of the stop. Further, the fact that one is the
    driver of a vehicle, particularly over a long period of time,
    creates an inference of control over items in the vehicle. State
    v. 
    Howard, supra
    . Campbell was driving at the time of the
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    stop, and the evidence showed that she and James had been in
    Kansas City, Missouri, before driving through Lincoln. They
    were on their way to Denver, Colorado, with California being
    their final destination. Campbell was apparently the owner of
    the vehicle as well, because she testified about looking for her
    registration for the vehicle when first pulled over.
    When reviewing a criminal conviction for sufficiency of
    the evidence to sustain the conviction, the relevant question
    for an appellate court is whether, after viewing the evidence
    in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational
    trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the
    crime beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. 
    Howard, supra
    .
    We conclude that the evidence, viewed in the light most
    favorable to the prosecution, was sufficient to find Campbell
    guilty of both possession of marijuana and possession of drug
    paraphernalia. Her second and third assignments of error are
    without merit.
    Excessive Sentence.
    Campbell argues that her sentence for failure to obey a law-
    ful order of the State Patrol is excessive. She claims that she is
    entitled to judicial relief in the form of a reduced jail sentence
    or probation. However, Campbell admits in her brief that she
    has already served the 7-day jail sentence.
    [14,15] While it is not a constitutional prerequisite for
    jurisdiction, the existence of an actual case or controversy
    is necessary for the exercise of judicial power. Johnston v.
    Nebraska Dept. of Corr. Servs., 
    270 Neb. 987
    , 
    709 N.W.2d 321
    (2006). 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 pre-
    sented are no longer alive. 
    Id. Because Campbell
    has already
    served the jail sentence she is challenging, her claim that her
    sentence is excessive does not rest upon existing facts and
    she lacks a legally cognizable interest in the outcome of the
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    issue. Therefore, her assignment of error challenging her jail
    sentence is moot.
    [16] We recognize that the Nebraska Supreme Court has
    held that an appeal from a criminal conviction is not moot,
    even though a sentence for a criminal conviction has been
    fully served, when the defendant is subjected to “collateral
    consequences” resulting from the criminal conviction. State v.
    Patterson, 
    237 Neb. 198
    , 204, 
    465 N.W.2d 743
    , 748 (1991).
    We do not find that this exception to the mootness doctrine is
    applicable in the present case.
    For the sake of completeness, even if Campbell’s excessive
    sentence argument was not moot, the 7-day jail sentence is
    not excessive. The failure to obey a lawful order of the State
    Patrol is a violation of § 81-2008, a Class III misdemeanor,
    punishable by a maximum of 3 months’ imprisonment, a $500
    fine, or both. There is no minimum time for imprisonment. See
    Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-106 (Cum. Supp. 2014). Campbell was
    sentenced to 7 days in jail. Campbell’s sentence is within the
    statutory limits, and we find no abuse of discretion by the trial
    court in imposing a 7-day sentence.
    CONCLUSION
    We conclude that the evidence was sufficient to find
    Campbell guilty of failure to obey a lawful order of the State
    Patrol, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug para-
    phernalia. We determine that Campbell’s excessive sentence
    argument is moot and that even if it was not moot, it is with-
    out merit. Accordingly, Campbell’s convictions and sentences
    are affirmed.
    A ffirmed.