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    Conflict Resolution Day

    Conflict Resolution Day

    October 21, 2022
    The third Thursday of October is recognized as Conflict Resolution Day and the American Bar Association recognizes the third week of October as Mediation Week to promote mediation and the work of neutrals. When you ask someone what is the first thing that comes to mind when you say conflict, it’s common for that first thought to be negative. People generally don’t like being in conflict because it’s uncomfortable. Tensions can be high and there may be mistrust, and usually there is poor...Read more

    Probation’s Motivational Interviewing Wins National Award

    Probation’s Motivational Interviewing Wins National Award

    October 21, 2022
    Nebraska Probation’s Motivational Interviewing training team was awarded the Special Topics Award during the Recent International Association of Correctional Training Professionals Annual Conference. This award is given for high quality training in a particular course, program, or subject. The MI team is made up of 37 trainers from across the state, and lead by Judicial Branch Education trainer Sherri Gelvin. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is used by Nebraska State Probation to ensure all...Read more

    Five Graduate from Southeast Nebraska Adult Drug Court in Auburn

    Five Graduate from Southeast Nebraska Adult Drug Court in Auburn

    October 21, 2022
    The Southeast Nebraska Adult Drug Court celebrated graduation in Auburn on October 19, 2022, at the Nemaha County District Court. Graduates Eric Carlson, Lance Hays, Michelle Lane, Ashley Pohlman, and Kody Sullivan were recognized for their successful completion of the program. Judge Julie D. Smith presided over the ceremony. Smith made opening remarks and introduced the Drug Court Team members. Guest speakers were Chris Reece, Drug Court Coordinator, and 2021 Drug Court graduate Quentin...Read more

    Cedar County Courthouse First on List for Courtroom Technology Upgrade

    cedar county tech education

    Cedar County Courthouse First on List for Courtroom Technology Upgrade

    October 20, 2022
    Staff members from Cedar County Court gathered around newly installed audio-visual equipment in the courtroom to learn how to operate the state-of-the-art technology, marking the Judicial Branch’s first installation of the new courtroom audio-visual technology. “We were interested in the project and the capabilities it allows the Court to use now and into the future,” said Cedar County Clerk of District Court Janet Wiechelman. Cedar County is the first of nearly 200 trial court courtrooms to...Read more

    Office of Public Guardian Completes All-Staff Training

    Office of Public Guardian Completes All-Staff Training

    October 20, 2022
    National Guardianship Association Standards of Practice served as a focal point for the recent Office of Public Guardian (OPG) all-staff training. The three-day session (September 21 - 23) was held at the Hruska Law Center in Lincoln. Additional learning opportunities included OPG program updates from all multidisciplinary team leaders, including administration, legal, financial, case management, and education. Staff also participated in a Community of Practice session through the Nebraska...Read more

    Nebraska Trial Judges Associations Elect New Presidents

    Nebraska Trial Judges Associations Elect New Presidents

    October 14, 2022
    Nebraska trial judges installed new association presidents during their annual meetings in mid-October. Presidential terms began on October 14, 2022. The associations and their newly appointed presidents are: Nebraska County Judges Association – Hon. Randin R. Roland , Sidney Nebraska Separate Juvenile Judges Association – Hon. Elise M. W. White , Lincoln Nebraska District Judges Association – Hon. Travis P. O'Gorman , Alliance Each will serve until October 2023. Judges' associations allow...Read more

    Everyday Heroes: Fender Honored

    Heroes award

    Everyday Heroes: Fender Honored

    October 5, 2022
    Kim Fender, Human Resources Coordinator in District 4A/4J, supports all aspects of local recruiting, hiring, retention, plus many other duties. She is a huge asset to both Districts - by attending job fairs and educating college students, as well as engaging with the community to cultivate a new workforce. Fender has also supported each district in numerous initiatives, such as HOPE (Humanity, Optimism, Perspective, and Empathy) training alongside juvenile and adult reform. Thank you, Kim – we’...Read more

    Video Debut During Juvenile Restorative Justice Presentation at the Children’s Summit

    Video Debut During Juvenile Restorative Justice Presentation at the Children’s Summit

    October 3, 2022
    Kelly Riley, Director of the Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR), and Dr. Anne Hobbs, Director of the University of Nebraska Omaha’s Juvenile Justice (JJI), collaborated to present on the Juvenile Restorative Justice and Family Intervention Initiative. Using Mentimeter, the presenters learned about attendees’ perceptions around juvenile restorative justice. Additionally, the presentation addressed the differences between restorative practice which is more about an overall systemic approach that...Read more

    Douglas County District Judge Wheelock Sits with Nebraska Supreme Court

    Douglas County District Judge Wheelock Sits with Nebraska Supreme Court

    October 3, 2022
    Nebraska District Court Judge Horacio J. Wheelock of Omaha, Nebraska, was invited to sit with the Nebraska Supreme Court on September 28, 2022. Wheelock heard arguments in the case of S-20-871, Joseph J. Buttercase v. James Martin Davis and Davis Law Office, Revived in the names of the Representatives and Successor of the Estate of James Martin Davis . In that case, the Appellant hired James Martin Davis to represent him on a criminal matter. After negotiating a plea deal, Davis withdrew...Read more

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