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    Celebration of Trial Court Week in Nebraska Announced

    Celebration of Trial Court Week in Nebraska Announced

    March 16, 2023
    The Nebraska Supreme Court recognizes the third week in March as Trial Court Week, a time set aside for Nebraskans to celebrate the important role that local courts and their personnel play in providing access to the civil, criminal, and juvenile justice systems. Chief Justice Michael Heavican announced the celebration during a proclamation signing ceremony in the Supreme Court Chamber on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. The ceremony kicks off Trial Court celebrations occurring throughout the...Read more

    Retired District Court Judge Paul Merritt Passes Away in New York

    Retired District Court Judge Paul Merritt Passes Away in New York

    March 15, 2023
    Judge Paul Merritt Jr., Lincoln, former district court judge in Lancaster County, died Monday, February 27, 2023, in New York where he relocated following retirement. Merritt also served as judge of the Lancaster County Adult Drug Court beginning in 2005. Merritt took the bench in 1988 and served until March 31, 2015. There will be no funeral service or obituary. Reread Judge Merritt’s 2015 retirement interview in the Lincoln Journal Star: Retiring judge says he wouldn't trade job he's done for...Read more

    Navigators Work to Improve Process of Post-Release Supervision Reentry

    Navigators Work to Improve Process of Post-Release Supervision Reentry

    March 15, 2023
    Post-release supervision navigators, Neha Saxena, Tammy Kratochvil, Karen Foster, Lorena Gutierrez, and Suzanne Kusy, whose work is guided by § 6-1904, consistently work to bridge the gap of uncertainty for individuals returning to Nebraska communities following periods of incarceration. The Navigators, who are employees of the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation are allowed entry into the Nebraska Department of Corrections, to begin preparations for each individual’s seamless...Read more

    District Court Judge James Doyle Honored by Nebraska State Bar Foundation

    District Court Judge James Doyle Honored by Nebraska State Bar Foundation

    March 15, 2023
    District Court Judge James Doyle was among three long-time members of the legal profession honored at the Fellows Dinner of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation. Doyle received the Bar Foundation’s Legal Pioneer Award on March 4, 2023. The award is presented to a lawyer who has made innovative contributions to the improvement of justice. In introductory remarks for the award, Court of Appeals Judge Frankie Moore said, “Tonight we honor him (Doyle) for identifying and resolving a barrier to justice...Read more

    Ceremonial Session of Nebraska Supreme Court Memorializing Career of Retired Justice Michael McCormack

    Ceremonial Session of Nebraska Supreme Court Memorializing Career of Retired Justice Michael McCormack

    March 14, 2023
    A special session of the Supreme Court will be held honoring former Supreme Court Justice Michael McCormack on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. in the Nebraska Supreme Court Chamber of the State Capitol. McCormack died on May 9, 2022. In 1997 McCormack was appointed by Governor Ben Nelson to the Nebraska Supreme Court where he served for 19 years until his retirement in 2016. Chief Justice Michael Heavican will preside over the ceremony for the late justice and Chief Judge of the Court of...Read more

    Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court Celebrates Graduation

    Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court Celebrates Graduation

    March 10, 2023
    The Douglas County Veterans Treatment Court celebrated the graduation of Tim Reznicek on March 2, 2022, at the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center in Omaha with family, friends, local community members, and local veterans. Veterans Treatment Court Judge Horacio Wheelock presided over the ceremony. Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly was the guest speaker. According to Problem-Solving Court Coordinator Rob Owens, “This is a great achievement for the graduate, and we proudly celebrate Reznicek’s accomplishments...Read more

    Outstanding Clerk of the District Court Award, 2022

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    Outstanding Clerk of the District Court Award, 2022

    March 9, 2023
    Awarded to: John Friend , Douglas County District Court The Marjorie Schaffer Memorial Award recognizes commendable performance by a clerk of a district court. Recipients exhibit exemplary leadership, effective guidance of change, achievement of sustainable results, or strength in coaching and mentoring. John Friend has served 16 years as Clerk of the District Court for Douglas County. Shortly after taking office, he was appointed to sit on the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Technology Committee...Read more

    Listen to the State of the Judiciary via Podcast

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    Listen to the State of the Judiciary via Podcast

    March 7, 2023
    Catch Chief Justice Heavican's State of the Judiciary address in your podcast feed by subscribing to Your Nebraska Judicial Branch. Available on all major podcast platforms, or on the web at: https://nejudicial.buzzsprout.com/ .Read more

    Court Holds Arguments at UNL College of Law

    Court Holds Arguments at UNL College of Law

    March 7, 2023
    The Nebraska Supreme Court held arguments at UNL College of Law on March 2, 2023, where justices heard three cases in the school’s courtroom. The argument session was followed by a question-and-answer session with students focused on the elements of a good brief and effective oral argument. Watch the session: Video Arguments Thursday, March 2, 2023 For over 40 years, the Supreme Court has traveled to the University of Nebraska College of Law to make the Court’s business accessible to law...Read more

    Outstanding Probation Supervisor Award, 2022

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    Outstanding Probation Supervisor Award, 2022

    March 2, 2023
    Awarded to: Kurt Stevens , Dawson County Probation The Bob Keller Memorial Award recognizes exceptional performance by a probation supervisor. Recipients exhibit exemplary leadership, effective guidance of change, achievement of sustainable results, or strength in coaching and mentoring. Kurt Steven’s empathy and ability to see the big picture are a couple of the many qualities that make him a tremendous asset to his district. He remains well–versed in his knowledge of policy, procedures, and...Read more

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