Jacy C. Todd is appealing the 24 convictions he received for alleged improper notarizations. This appeal comes after a jury verdict in February and a subsequent sentence handed down by the Hall County Court of Nebraska regarding verification requirements for ballot measures.
These legal proceedings highlight the importance of scrutinizing signature collection processes, especially those that pertain to ballot measures relating to access to medical marijuana. This builds on previous coverage about signature collecting issues for Nebraska medical cannabis initiatives.
The Legal Process and Convictions
Hall County jurors found 55-year-old Mr. Todd guilty on 23 counts in February. Each count was a misdemeanor of Class II, while the other charge involved making a false declaration under oath. Hall County Judge Alfred Corey then sentenced Todd to a fine amounting to $3,866.44. This must be paid by the middle of April 2027. He did not impose any jail terms. A maximum $1,000 fine or up to 6 months in prison was the punishment that could be imposed for each Class II Misdemeanor.
According to a news report, Mr. Todd, along with his lawyer Mark Porto filed an intent to appeal on May 11 and directed the case to the Hall County District Court. Nebraska Examiner, syndicated by 1011now.com.
Contexte of Notarization Disput
These charges were filed by the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, along with Hall County Attorney Marty Klein. They stemmed from accusations that Michael K. Egbert – a Grand Island petition circulator who was paid to do so – never showed up before Todd for his petitions to be notarized. The verification process is required by law for all ballot initiatives. This includes Nebraska medical marijuana petitions.
When Mr. Todd was asked to testify in a Lancaster County civil suit, attempting to invalidate medical cannabis petitions on October 20, 2024, he stated that he has always properly notarized the documents. The prosecution claimed that Todd made false claims that could have affected the outcome of the current civil suit before the Nebraska Supreme Court. The Nebraska Supreme Court heard arguments in December but did not issue an opinion. According to reports, despite challenges over Mr. Todd’s attestation of signatures, 2024 Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana gathered enough valid names to qualify for ballot in 2024.
Arguments in Appellate Courts and Their Broader Consequences
It is anticipated that the appeal will address a number of legal issues. The initial decision by Judge Corey was to dismiss the criminal charges against Mr. Todd. He agreed with the defense, that notaries were not subject to criminal prosecutions for misconduct in official capacity. Hall County District court Judge Andrew Butler overturned this decision on April 20, 2025. Butler expressed his concerns about prosecutorial resources in this case while reversed the ruling. Butler cited that there was a significant amount of public support in Texas for medical cannabis, with 71% supporting legalization, and 67% in favor regulation.
Porto indicated in his statement that the appeal would also contest the disparity between these court rulings, and that the trial had been compromised by the prosecutors’ interruptions during the opening defense statements. This legal case could be taken to the Nebraska Supreme Court in order to determine Mr. Todd’s conviction. It would set a precedent that future ballot measures will require notarization.
Disclaimer: This article contains only general information and is not intended to be a medical recommendation. Hemp Gazette makes no medical diagnoses or recommendations. Consult a healthcare professional before you make any decision regarding your health. The Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia (TGA) has not evaluated any statements regarding the therapeutic use of cannabis or hemp-derived products. TGA regulates the access to medical cannabis in Australia.