Nebraska’s newest state senators were welcomed to the Supreme Court Courtroom following their legislative orientation on December 3, 2018.   

Only Michigan, Texas and Washington engaged in more celebrations than Nebraska, according to the events listed on the NationalAdoptionDay.org events webpage. Nebraska held Adoption Day celebrations in eight communities across the state. Two counties, Lancaster and Lincoln, celebrated on November 3, and events in Omaha, Norfolk, Grand Island, Hastings and Kearney occurred on November 17, the day generally recognized as National Adoption Day. Scottsbluff held their event on December 8, this year.

The Administrative Office of Probation-Juvenile Services Division is releasing the third annual Detailed Analysis.  The publication provides updated data and progress regarding the Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative from July 2017 to June 2018.

Students at Schuyler Central High School were invited to ask questions of the Nebraska Supreme Court during a November visit to their school – and they did not hold back. The first student to approach the Court had to set aside his original inquiry regarding TransCanada when he realized the justices couldn’t discuss a pending case.

Lancaster and Lincoln Counties both held events on Saturday, November 3, celebrating National Adoption Day.

Lancaster County Juvenile Court participated in their 14th consecutive National Adoption Day celebration, hosted by the Honorable Reggie Ryder, Separate Juvenile Court Judge, Lancaster County. They finalized 37 adoptions at the Lancaster County Justice and Law Enforcement Center in Lincoln and provided refreshments and fun activities, such as balloon artists, face painting, photo booth, arts and crafts, and hair braiding, for the children and their families.

Ms. Ellen Fabian Brokofsky, Nebraska State Probation Administrator and longtime Judicial Branch employee, announced her retirement after 13 years as Probation Administrator for the Nebraska Supreme Court, effective December 31, 2018. She has served in varying levels of the probation system for the past 43 years.

Judge Robert O'Neal of the juvenile court in Papillion and Judge John E. Samson of the district court in Blair were awarded the Supreme Court’s highest honors on October 18, 2018, during the Court’s annual meeting in La Vista.

O'Neal was presented the Improvement of Community Relations Award and Samson was given the Improvement of the Judicial System Award by Chief Justice Mike Heavican at the Court’s Annual Judicial Dinner. The awards recognize members of the judiciary for meritorious projects and exemplary accomplishments beyond their day-to-day duties as a judge.  

Seventy Nebraska State Probation officers were officially sworn in on October 10, 2018 in the Capitol Rotunda by Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican.

Ellen Fabian Brokofsky, Probation Administrator, addressed the new officers, their families and fellow Probation employees noting that probation officers play an integral role in the administration of justice.  Probation Officers are officers of the court and the right arm of the court system.  They provide to the court two important services: investigations and supervision. 

Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Mike Heavican, presented 12 Employee Recognition Awards to individuals and team members on September 27, 2018, during the Nebraska Judicial Branch tenth annual recognition event.

We are excited to announce the winners of our Administrative Office of Probation, Juvenile Services Division 3rd Annual Art Contest. We had so many more submissions this year that we chose three winners and the results were very close. The three winners will receive gift cards, a certificate and ribbon. In addition, the artwork is on display in the Juvenile Administration entry area on 5th floor of the Executive building. All contestants will receive a thank-you gift.