The Douglas County Adult Drug Court celebrated its 115th Drug Court graduation in Omaha on December 8, 2021, at the Omaha-Douglas Civic Center. Ten (10) graduates achieved recognition and praise for completing the program. The ceremony marks the completion of an intensive program of comprehensive mental health treatment, intensive community supervision, and full accountability. Presiding Adult Drug Court Judges Tressa M. Alioth, Timothy P. Burns, Todd O. Engleman, and Leigh Ann Retelsdorf hosted the ceremony. 

Veteran Mentors for the Lancaster County Veterans Court thanked the Chief Justice for his leadership during a coin presentation ceremony in the Supreme Court courtroom on December 14, 2021.

Ceremony participants outlined their hopes for the future, noting that under the administration of Chief Justice Heavican, the Lancaster County Veteran’s Treatment Court and many other Nebraska problem-solving courts have become an integral part of the court system.

At the Dodge County Courthouse, the Dodge County Adult Drug Court celebrated graduation in Fremont on December 7, 2021. The ceremony for the graduate, Kasaira Consbruck, marks her persistent three-year path with intensive, comprehensive mental health treatment, community supervision, and full accountability. Judge Geoffrey C. Hall presided at the Adult Drug Court hearing.

The Hastings High School auditorium quieted as Junior Joshua Torres announced, “All Rise” and gave the Court Call while serving as student bailiff for Nebraska Supreme Court.  Justices, lawyers, and staff visited Hastings High School for arguments in November 2021 in an effort to raise awareness of court processes and the importance of civics education to society.  

Awarded to: The JUSTICE Help Desk - Ann Alden, Jordan Flynn, Jason Fredenburg, Laurayne Hall, Jordan Hernandez, Sue Nieto, Mike Prochnow, and Casey Tribolet

The outstanding customer service award recognizes employees who implement creative and effective programs that improve customer assistance.

Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Mike Heavican, presented 22 awards to Judicial Branch employees and teams on December 7, 2021, during the annual Nebraska Judicial Branch recognition event.

State Court Administrator Corey Steel, Probation Administrator Deb Minardi, and the Chief Justice honored employees with a ceremony in the Rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol. The awards are the highest honors given by the Nebraska Supreme Court, recognizing outstanding performance by court and probation employees in the Nebraska Judicial System.

Misty Flowers, Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Coalition (NICWC) Executive Director, and Jill Holt, NICWC Training and Education Director, join Your Nebraska Judicial Branch to discuss the mission of their organization in education, advocacy, and bringing people together.

Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican has been inducted into the 2021 Warren E. Burger Society through the National Center for State Courts.

Supreme Court Justices will hold court arguments in the Tiger Theatre on the Hastings High School Campus on December 1, 2021.  The court session, rescheduled from September this year, comes at the invitation of High School Principal Thomas Szlanda.

"We are honored to have the Court hold arguments in our school. We are extending invitations to the college community and neighboring high schools so that they can share in this unique experience," remarked Szlanda on the Court's visit.

State Probation Administrator Deborah Minardi addressed 41 new probation officers, their families, and fellow probation employees via Webex on October 22, 2021, during a virtual swearing-in ceremony.  Prior to being sworn-in, new probation officers successfully completed seven weeks of New Probation Officer Training plus one week of Safety Training. Additionally, they successfully completed 24 Experiential Participation Plan hours and their provisional period of employment