Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike Heavican, along with several Associate Justices, and key court administration staff visited 15 courthouses in northeast Nebraska and hosted two education sessions in South Sioux City.  The educational meetings included 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 met with State Senators, County board members, lawyers, and community leaders.

Specialty events included: a tour of the Veterans’ Memorial in Wahoo, a visit to one of Judge John Samson’s Drug Court sessions in Blair with an elegant outdoor luncheon ceremony for the county board, a review of child-friendly courtrooms, tours of refurbished courtrooms, and tours of courthouse jails – both in and out of operation.

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.  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.”

In addressing the many county commissioners who attended courthouse tours, Heavican remarked that tours are a great opportunity for the Supreme Court to thank local communities for all of the support they give to state judges and staff – often noting that the state relies on a solid partnership with the counties.  “I am pleased to say that all these counties do a wonderful job of supporting their courts with beautiful courthouses,” said Heavican while visiting Cuming county. He also noted that a county’s pride in their community is often reflected in the care of their courthouse.

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