LINCOLN – Angelo M. Ligouri, Auburn; Diane L. Merwin, Humboldt; and Richard R. Smith, Cook, have submitted applications for appointment as County Court Judge in the 1st Judicial District consisting of Gage, Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee, Richardson, Saline, and Thayer counties. The primary office location for such judicial vacancy will be either Richardson County, Nemaha County, or Pawnee County, Nebraska, to be determined by the Nebraska Supreme Court after consultation with the judge appointed to the position. The vacancy is due to the retirement of Judge Curtis L. Maschman.

The public hearing of the Judicial Nominating Commission will be held in the District Court Courtroom, Richardson County Courthouse, 1700 Stone Street, Falls City, Nebraska, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on July 20, 2022. The Commission will interview all applicants for the office at that time. 

Members of the public are invited to present testimony for the commission’s consideration in one of two ways:

1. Written testimony provided in advance of the hearing:  Written testimony or other pertinent information may be mailed the Commission Chair no later than July 13, 2022, at the following address: Justice Stephanie F. Stacy, Nebraska Supreme Court, PO Box 98910, Lincoln, NE 68509 or emailed to dawn.mussmann@nebraska.gov.    
2. Oral testimony offered during the hearing:  Oral testimony may be offered by attending the public hearing in the District Court courtroom in Falls City, Richardson County, Nebraska. All persons attending should be prepared to comply with any directed health measures that may be in effect. 

The Nebraska Supreme Court continues to carefully monitor the evolving circumstances presented by the spread of COVID-19, including monitoring updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local Directed Health Measures from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. As of the date of this press release, this judicial nominating commission public hearing will be held in person. Should circumstances change due to COVID-19, all commission members and applicants will have the option to participate in this hearing via WebEx.

A listing of the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission can be found on the Nebraska Judicial Branch Web site at https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/administration/committees-commissions/judicial-nominating-commission-first-district-county-court.

For special accommodations relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call (402) 471-3730.  For persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call the Nebraska Relay System, 7-1-1. AA/EOE.