Each summer, Chief Justice Mike Heavican dedicates several days to traveling to courts outside of the Lincoln area to meet with judicial branch staff, tour courtrooms, and learn about special projects.  This year, several associate judges of the Supreme Court are joining in on the tour which will include two education sessions in South Sioux City and stops at 15 courthouses in northeast Nebraska.  The educational meetings include a day-long tristate meeting regarding juvenile justice with Chief Justices from Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota and a morning meeting with Nebraska tribal courts and tribal representatives. During the 15 courthouse tours, the Chief Justice and fellow justices will meet with various State Senators, County Board members, lawyers, and community leaders.

In discussing the purpose of the summer tours, Heavican noted, “It is really important for us to get feedback from our local court staff, from judges, from community members, and from lawyers as to how certain programs are working, and what we might be able to do better for a particular community or for a larger statewide program.  We use that feedback to help make the system better.”

As a complement to the Chief Justice’s tour, the Supreme Court Attorney Services Division is offering free continuing legal education seminars in Fremont, South Sioux City, Center and Norfolk.