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| Nebraska Court Records- Listed below is contact information and/or links to websites containing resources to help in a search for Nebraska court records. | |||
| Nebraska Courts online, Access Court Records via State & County databases | |||
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Nebraska has developed a flexible and diverse court system to serve the state’s judicial needs. It features traditional trial and appellate courts, but also has a number of specialized courts, from juvenile-case-only venues in three counties, to worker’s compensation courts, to drug “problem-solving” courtrooms. Nebraska Supreme Court As in most states, the Nebraska Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort. It’s decisions are binding on all lower trial courts, and on the state’s Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court is composed of a chief justice, presently Michael Heavican, and six associate justices who represent the state’s six appellate court judicial districts. The chief justice is considered to be representing the state as a whole, and is also the executive leader of the Nebraska judicial branch of government. The court, which is housed on the second floor of the state capitol building in Lincoln, maintains a heavy caseload of appellate cases, and also has responsibility for the licensing and discipline of the state’s attorneys, providing a chairman for judicial nominating commissions and supervising the disciplinary system for judges. The Supreme Court’s sessions are open to the public, and the state maintains an extensive list of information online to make the court accessible to its constituents. Included at the court’s Web site are: a list with each judge’s mailing address; the court’s calendar and “court call” list (cases to be heard in the next session); case summaries for all cases on the call list; and a PDF archive of the court’s opinions. Nebraska Court of Appeals Nebraska's Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court for the state. Its six judges, who sit in panels or “divisions” of three judges to hear cases, is tasked with providing “clear, impartial and timely resolution of appealed orders and judgments provided by law. In 2007, the chief judge of the court is Everett O. Inbody. The Court of Appeals is generally the first court to field an appeal in orders of criminal, juvenile, civil, domestic relations and probate matters. The court also has appellate jurisdiction over decisions originating from some state administrative boards and agencies. Its determination of an appeal is final unless the Nebraska Supreme Court agrees to hear the matter. Like the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals usually hears its cases on the second floor of the state capitol building in Lincoln. However, the court is empowered to convene anywhere in the state, and will sit in cities such as North Platte, Omaha, Papillion, Norfolk and Kearney to bring appellate justice closer to residents of the more far-flung regions of Nebraska. Online resources for the Court of Appeals include: the court’s calendar and call schedule; case summaries of pending matters; contact information for Court of Appeals judges; and a PDF archive of the court’s opinions. Nebraska District Courts Nebraska’s primary system of trial courts is divided into a dozen judicial districts, aligned by county boundaries. Some districts include only one county, while others have as many as 17. The Nebraska District Court system presently has 55 judges who have original jurisdiction in all felony cases, equity case, domestic relations cases and civil matters where the amount in controversy involves more than $51,000. The district courts have appellate jurisdiction over certain matters arising out of county court, and over some administrative appeals; the court will review the records and testimony from the lower court or tribunal and render an opinion on the case. District Court decisions may be appealed to the Nebraska Court of Appeals or to the state Supreme Court. Most, but not all, of the 93 counties served by the district courts have at least some information available at their Web sites. Nebraska County Courts Each of Nebraska’s 93 counties has its own County Court branch, though many, if not most, do not have an online presence. The state has authorized 59 judges to serve these counties, obviously with some judges serving more than one county. The jurisdiction of county court is established by state law, which provides for exclusive original jurisdiction in probate matters, actions based on a violation of a city or village ordinance, juvenile court matters (if there is no separate juvenile court in the county), adoptions, eminent domain proceedings and preliminary hearings in felony cases. The county courts have concurrent jurisdiction in civil matters when the amount in controversy is less than $51,000, in criminal matters classified as misdemeanors or “infractions,” some domestic relations cases and paternity matters. County judges also hear small claims cases filed within their court systems. Appeals from the County Court are made to District Court, though in certain probate and juvenile matters, the appeal will advance directly to the Court of Appeals. Nebraska Juvenile Courts In three of Nebraska’s 93 counties, juvenile matters are heard in an independent Juvenile Court. Here, judges handle matters involving neglected, dependent and delinquent children. These separate juvenile courts also have jurisdiction in domestic relations matters in which the care, support or custody of minor children is at issue. The three separate juvenile courts – in the counties of Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy – have the same jurisdiction and employ the same procedures as the county courts that act as juvenile court in the other 90 counties. A list of Juvenile Court judges is maintained online. Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court Nebraska’s Workers’ Compensation Court was established in 1935 to handle cases involving injured laborers. By 1988, the size of the court had grown to seven judges who are seated to hear cases throughout the state. Laureen K. Van Norman is the presiding judge. The court’s mission is to administer and enforce all provisions of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act of 1913, except such provisions that might be committed to courts of appellate jurisdiction or other authorities as provided by law. The seven judges are initially appointed by the governor and serve six years – and will continue to serve in terms of six years so long as they are re-elected by the public. Four judges have offices in the state capitol building in Lincoln, while three have their offices at the Hall of Justice in Omaha. But a judge can and will travel to any county in the state where an accident has occurred in order to hear the case stemming from that accident. Cases are first heard by a single judge, but if there is an appeal, a panel of three judges from the court will review the matter. Following that review, any further reviews would go to the Court of Appeals and eventually the state Supreme Court. Nebraska Drug Court Following the lead of other states, and in an effort to help the court system rehabilitate drug-addicted offenders, Nebraska has developed its Drug Court system. The idea is to engage in “problem solving” rather than solely in punishment of the offenses; that problem solving typically involves supervised rehabilitation. The court’s goal is to reduce the number of repeat offenders among addicts by helping them beat their addictions. The state has numerous adult and juvenile (and even family dependency) drug courts statewide. Nebraska Small Claims Court Nebraska provides a Web site to aid citizens who are representing themselves in Small Claims Court. The state’s Guide to Small Claims Court is one means of informing and assisting taxpayers. The Small Claims Court site even has an “assistant” feature to help citizens file Small Claims Court cases online. |
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| Online Access to Nebraska's Court Web Sites, by State and County | |||
| Nebraska
Judicial Branch
United States District Courts - District of Nebraska Nebraska Supreme Court - Biographical information and downloadable pictures of justices. General information on the court and court directories. Nebraska Court of Appeals - Biographies of appeals judges and Appeals Court information. Nebraska County Courts - County Court Judges' Addresses Nebraska District Court - District Court Judges' Addresses Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court - Search for content information, benefit calculation and forms. Nebraska Problem Solving and Dug Courts - Map denoting the locations of Drug Courts in Nebraska. Nebraska Judicial Branch - Jury Qualification Forms, Handbook and Juror Brochure. Nebraska Judicial Branch - Information on small claims and protection orders for those people who are representing themselves in court. Nebraska Opinions of the Court - Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Opinions by year and month. |
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| Nebraska County Courthouse Clerks, Addresses and Phone Numbers | |||
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