Featuring Omaha’s Young Adult Court Judge and Graduate

Nebraska Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican and Justice Jeffrey Funke will host a proclamation signing ceremony on April 30, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. to officially declare Nebraska Problem-Solving Court Month on behalf of the State Judicial Branch. The ceremony will be streamed live from the Nebraska Supreme Court Courtroom.

Honored guests for the ceremony are Young Adult Court Presiding Judge Shelly Stratman and Young Adult Court graduate Marisela Morales-Padilla. Both will talk about the unique features and benefits of Omaha’s Young Adult Court – the only Young Adult Court in the state.

While May is recognized nationally as Drug Court Month, the diverse programming offered through Nebraska courts calls for a celebration of all problem-solving courts. Chief Justice Heavican will issue a proclamation recognizing the efforts of Nebraska's problem-solving courts and urging everyone, especially those within the legal community, to take note of the occasion.

Problem-solving courts are innovative court programs that intervene against crime by addressing the underlying circumstances that led to criminal conduct. These courts, which operate through the Nebraska Judicial Branch, combine intensive community-based supervision, judicial accountability, and behavioral health treatment. Judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, supervision personnel, law enforcement, treatment providers, researchers, educators, and others dedicated to problem-solving courts work collaboratively to improve the lives of their participants and strengthen communities across the state. The Nebraska system of problem-solving courts deserves independent recognition and support for their outstanding work.

Nebraska Public Media will live stream the proclamation signing as part of its regular Appellate Court coverage. Watch Live: Nebraska Public Media.