In observance of the holiday, Court and Probation Offices will be closed on 11/10/2023.

In inclement weather, employees should use their best judgment in trying to get to work. If an employee chooses not to report to work, the employee must follow the policy of their particular office for reporting an absence.

Employees choosing not to work due to weather conditions must use accrued vacation leave, earned compensatory time, or, with supervisor approval, may be allowed to make up missed work time within the workweek.

Seventy-nine Nebraska State Probation officers were sworn in by Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican on October 5, 2023, in the State Capitol Rotunda in front of distinguished guests, family, and friends. This year’s class was the largest class of new officers we’ve had. In addressing the new officers Chief Justice Heavican noted “You have the power to change the lives of folks who are on probation, their families, their children and the communities they are part of.”

Patty Lyon, Chief Probation Officer for the 6th Judicial District, utilized her extensive community connections to put the Chief Justice in direct contact with the people of the 6th Judicial District during his August 2023 Summer Tour. She organized presentations at the South Sioux Reporting Center, reached out to the tribal government in Winnebago, organized social events, and commandeered a radio program in Fremont to help the Supreme Court convey their messages of transparency and partnership.   

Separate Juvenile Court Judge Elise White, Lincoln; County Court Judge Frank Barron, Blair; and District Court Judge Jodi Nelson, Lincoln, were announced as the 2023 Distinguished Judge Award recipients by Chief Justice Mike Heavican. 

Homecoming enthusiasm filled the Minden High auditorium with school spirit as students, attorneys, and Supreme Court justices settled in for arguments in the case of Justeen Williams (Appellant) v. Scott Frakes, in his official capacity as Director, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, et al. (Appellee).  The appeal was from the District Court for Lancaster County.

Clerk Magistrate Ellen Faltys and Clerk of the District Court Minda McKitrick welcomed the 2023 Chief Justice’s summer tour group to Schuyler with multiple events: a language-based tour of the courthouse, demonstration of language access options in the courtroom, a 50th anniversary of interpretation in the courts proclamation signing ceremony, and a luncheon celebration honoring bilingual employees. 

Thank you, Ellen and Minda, for a great first day on the Chief Justice’s Summer Tour. Your skills in event management served the group well.

In observance of the holiday, Court and Probation Offices will be closed on 10/9/2023.

The University of Nebraska – Omaha’s (UNO) Milo Bail Student Center was filled with college and Omaha area high school students as the Nebraska Court of Appeals prepared to celebrate Constitution Day.

In commemoration of events on September 17, 1787, the Nebraska Court of Appeals took their “College Campus Initiative” to the UNO campus on Friday, September 15, 2023. Court of Appeals judges divided themselves into their customary morning and afternoon panels, each comprised of three judges, to hear argument sessions with two cases each.

In July 2023, Case Monitor Jan Kirk proudly marked a remarkable milestone: an impressive 55 years of unwavering dedication to serving the probation community in Lancaster County. Throughout her career, Jan has been hailed as a beacon of tenacity, tirelessly advocating for her clients, and showcasing an unparalleled capacity to work with individuals facing the most challenging circumstances.