Lancaster County Court, in conjunction with the Lancaster County Attorney’s Office, the Lincoln City Attorney’s Office, the Lancaster County Public Defender’s Office, the Lincoln Police Department, and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, began issuing orders in March of this year suspending the execution of certain warrants.  Those orders, as extended, are scheduled to expire on September 8, 2020.  As a means of allowing individuals to clear those and possibly other outstanding warrants, and further as a means of continuing the Court’s practice of holding after hours "Night Court" sessions, Thursday, September 3rd has been designated as an Amnesty Day/Night Court and Thursday, September 24th has been affirmed as a date for Night Court. 

These sessions will be held on the second floor of the Lancaster County Courthouse in County Courtroom #24:

• Amnesty Day/Night Court:  September 3, 2020, at the 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. sessions and from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Night Court:  September 24, 2020, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Purpose of Amnesty Day and Night Court

The purpose of these court sessions is to provide those individuals who have outstanding warrants an opportunity to come to court, possibly clear those warrants without being taken into custody, and get their cases back on track.  In addition, Night Court provides greater access to the justice system to those individuals who cannot miss work to attend regular court sessions without risking termination of their employment, who care for children or parents during the day, or who otherwise have commitments which make it difficult for them to come to court during regular business hours.   

Eligibility and Scheduling

Only non-custody matters will be taken up and heard during these special court sessions. All misdemeanor warrants, with the exception of “Hold for Court” warrants (see “Jail Holds” below), are eligible for recall and to have their cases reset.  Individuals who believe they may have an outstanding warrant are encouraged to visit the page published jointly by LPD and LSO at https://lincoln.ne.gov/city/police/stats/warrant1.htm to determine if they are on that list.  For answers to questions, including whether warrants have been designated as “Hold for Court,” or to schedule cases during one of these special sessions, individuals may contact the Criminal/Traffic desk of the Court Clerk's office at 402-441-8959.  Attorneys are encouraged to file motions ahead of these dates requesting hearings at these special sessions. Placing cases on the docket ahead of the session will assist the Court with scheduling and staffing. 

Jail Holds

Some outstanding warrants, such as those when a defendant has failed to appear for sentencing, a trial or a hearing on a motion to revoke bond or probation, may have been designated by the Court as “Hold for Court.”  Hold for Court warrants will not be recalled. In addition, individuals with felony warrants will also be taken into custody.  All such individuals will be lodged at the Lancaster County Jail and called up before the Court on the following day.