On the heels of the Nebraska Reentry Court Best Practice Standards, which were approved by the Nebraska Supreme Court this past summer, two Reentry Courts have been approved. The Nebraska Supreme Court approved the request from Judge Teresa Luther and Judge Mark Young to establish Nebraska’s first Reentry Court in the Ninth Judicial District in August 2017. January 3, 2018, marked the approval by the Nebraska Supreme Court for Judge Stefanie Martinez’s request to establish a Reentry Court in the Second Judicial District.

Marie Wiechman, State Librarian, will retire January 31, 2018, after over 28 years of service with the State Library.

She joined the Judicial Branch on November 1, 1989, following 10 years with the University of Nebraska Law Library as Circulation Supervisor. Before her work at the Law College she worked three years at the Love Library on UNL’s main campus.

A swearing-in ceremony for Lisa Johnson as Clerk Magistrate of Howard County Court was held January 18, 2018, in the Howard County Court in St. Paul, Nebraska. Judges Tami Schendt and Kale Burdick and presided over the ceremony.

Johnson has worked in Howard County Court since 2011, and prior to that worked in Hall County Court beginning in 2002.  She has a thorough knowledge of court practices and understanding of the needs of Howard County. Johnson has a wealth of experience working with litigants, attorneys and local government officials.

Chief Justice Mike Heavican gave his 2018 State of the Judiciary speech to the Nebraska Legislature on January 18, 2018. During his presentation he highlighted the Judicial Branch’s newest type of Problem-Solving Court: the Veterans Treatment Court.

Members of Nebraska’s inaugural Douglas and Lancaster County Veterans Treatment Courts were among those watching from the Unicameral balcony. The group included judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, veteran mentors, and other supporters of the two courts.

A swearing-in ceremony for Kerri Irwin as Clerk Magistrate of Dakota County Court was held December 13, 2017, in the Dakota County Court in Dakota City, Nebraska. Judge Kurt Rager presided over the ceremony with Judge Doug Luebe participating in the event.

Irwin has worked in the court system since 2003 when she started as a Records Clerk in Dakota County. She also served in the positions of Courtroom Clerk and Assistant Clerk between 2004 and 2017.

Photo: Judge Kurt Rager signs certificate appointment for Kerri Irwin standing with Judge Doug Luebe.

Judicial Branch Annual Report for Fiscal Year July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2017, is now available online. The report will be presented to the legislature during the Chief Justice’s annual “State of the Judiciary” in mid-January 2018.

The report can be found here.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on November 3, 2017, Beatrice High School Principal Jason Sutter announced the transformation of the school auditorium into a courtroom – a Supreme Court courtroom -- where justices, along with Court of Appeals Chief Judge Frankie Moore, listened to two arguments, answered questions and discussed with the students some of their insights into the legal community.

Mike Nehe, Domestic Violence Program Services Specialist for the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation announced that the project to update Harassment and Domestic Abuse Protection Order forms is complete. The petition and affidavit forms completed by the public have new instructions to assist them in completing the forms.

New Sexual Assault Protection Order forms and instructions as well as the Domestic Abuse renewal forms and instructions required after the passage of LB289 were completed in August.

Judges of the Separate Juvenile Court in Omaha surrounded Judge Wadie Thomas at his final official adoption day press conference to present him with a fitting parting gift – a big “adoption day” teddy bear.

The judge who brought National Adoption Day to Nebraska – Judge Thomas -- will retire just after the first of the year, January 2018.

On November 13, 2017, the U.S.