Goodrich Middle School Students to Visit the State Capitol for a Hands-On Lesson on the Three Branches of Government
In honor of the anniversary of the signing of the U. S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, approximately 250 eighth grade students from Goodrich Middle School visited the State Capitol on Friday morning, September 21, 2007, utilizing the main floor of the Capitol as a teaching resource on the three branches of government. The date of the signing of the Constitution has come to be known as Constitution Day and is an occasion when schools all across the nation honor the document of freedom created by the founders of our nation.

Senator Bill Avery of Lincoln made the first presentation in the Warner Chamber with a review of the responsibilities of the Legislative Branch, followed by an address by Governor Dave Heineman in the rotunda on duties of the Executive Branch. The students then examined the rotunda during a presentation by Tourism Supervisor, Roxanne Smith, on the art and architecture of the three branches of Government represented in the Capitol.

Capping this experiential learning opportunity was an address by Chief Justice Mike Heavican on the role and responsibilities of the Judicial Branch. The Chief Justice then led the students on a tour through the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals courtrooms.

The Nebraska Supreme Court and the Nebraska Bar Foundation each year develop a listing of activities and resources for teachers throughout the State of Nebraska distributed through the Foundation’s Web site at www.nebarfnd.org. Additionally, judges and attorneys across the state make themselves available during the week of September 17 to visit schools who request a guest speaker to discuss the meaning and influence of our U. S. Constitution.

Contact Janet Bancroft, Public Information Officer, 402-471-3205, jbancroft@nsc.state.ne.us.

Judge Douglas F. Johnson Elected VP of NCJFCJ
Judge Douglas F. Johnson was elected Vice President of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) during the organization's 70th Annual Conference held in San Francisco.

Founded in 1937, the NCJFCJ is the nation’s oldest judicial membership organization. Its focus is improving the effectiveness of our nation’s juvenile and family courts.

Judge Gary B. Randall Elected Vice Chair of NCSTJ
The National Conference of State Trial Judges (NCSTJ) has elected Douglas County District Court Judge Gary B. Randall as its vice chair. The election occurred during the annual meeting in San Francisco.

The NCSTJ is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious national organization of general jurisdiction state trial judges in the world and was founded in 1958.

New Supreme Court Personnel
Carissa Bates, Publications Coordinator, Reporter's Office, Lincoln, effective September 24, 2007.

New Probation Personnel
Melissa Segura, AmeriCorps Program Specialist, District #10, Gering, effective September 1, 2007.
Jennifer Hanisch, AmeriCorps Program Specialist, District #8, Grand Island, effective September 4, 2007.
Matthew Hill, Juvenile Probation Officer, District #18, Omaha, effective September 11, 2007.
Reed Schlautman, Probation Officer, ISP Region E, Omaha, effective September 14, 2007.
Sara Miley, AmeriCorps Program Specialist, District #12, Beatrice, effective September 17, 2007.
Jaclyn Flynn, Probation Officer, District #3, Schuyler, effective September18, 2007.

In Memoriam
Hon. Harry A Spencer, Retired Supreme Court and District Court Judge died at age 103. The Nebraska Supreme Court will hold a ceremonial memorial session in honor of former Judge Spencer on October 16 at 3:00 p.m. in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln.

Walter Cropper, retired Douglas County Court Judge, died September 18, 2007.

Discontinuation of Printed Pay Stubs
Effective January 1, 2008, the practice of providing printed pay advices (pay stubs) will be discontinued. As always, the information on the pay stubs is available to employees through Employee Self Service in the Nebraska Information System, and can be printed by the employee. Employees who do not have access to a computer, at work or at home, should contact their agency payroll representative.

Supreme Court Rule Amendments
On September 12, 2007, the Nebraska Supreme Court adopted amendments to the County Court Certificate of Transcript Form for appeal to district court (Appendix 1, of the County Court General Rules). The fee portion of the form has been consolidated into one total.

The proposed rule changes/additions are available at www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/index.shtml for review or a hard copy may be reviewed in the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals upon request.

Office of Dispute Resolution
The Future of ADR and Family Law in Nebraska
A free open forum is being held on Friday, October 19, 2007, from 1:30 p.m.—4:30 p.m. at the Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in Lincoln.

Presenters will discuss the increased use of ADR and mediation in family law and the affect of the new law on families, lawyers, judges, ODR-affiliated, private mediators, and Domestic Abuse Serving Agencies.

Highlights
• Welcome: Justice Mike McCormack, Nebraska Supreme Court
• Nebraska family law leaders’ panel on ADR
• National models for future design
• Featured speakers: Sen. Mike Flood, Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature; Hon. James Beasley, Active Ret. Judge, State of Kansas, Wichita, KS; Mr. Mark Collins, Esq., Admin., Dispute Resolution, New York Unified Court System, Cohoes, NY

Please pre-register by Friday, Oct 12th with Rachel Lempka, ODR, at rlempka@nsc.state.ne.us and type “ADR Forum” in subject line. This event is free.

Information Regarding New Parenting Act On-Line
The Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation has created an internet page for divorcing couples with current and 2008 information. Additional materials will be added as they become available.

Menu items include:
• Information on Nebraska's Original Parenting Act (elements and requirements of the Parenting Act in effect until January 1, 2008)
• The New Parenting Act (what is expected in 2008)
• Do It Yourself Divorce (link to the Self-Help page for individuals who are in agreement regarding children and own little property)
• Parenting Education through Mediation Centers (contact information for Supreme Court ODR Mediation Centers)
• Domestic Abuse (for individuals with concerns about their personal safety or the safety of their children)

Click here to see the new page or from the home page, click on Mediation (left menu) and Parenting/Divorce under Quick Links.

Contact Debora Brownyard, Director, Dispute Resolution/Rural Court Programs, 402-471-2766, dbrownyard@nsc.state.ne.us.

Human Resources
Phone Directory On-line
A Nebraska Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts Staff Directory has been uploaded to the Judicial Branch Web site under the Administrative Office of the Courts page. The directory lists persons and their assignments in the administrative office. If you have a question and would like to call the staff person who specializes in that particular area, look on-line. Otherwise, feel free to call the main desk at 402-471-3730.

Contact Judy Beutler, Deputy Administrator, 402-471-2921, jbeutler@nsc.state.ne.us.

Interpreter Services
Oral Certification Exams to Be Administered
The oral component of the Court Interpreter Certification Exam will be held in Lincoln on October 5 & 6. Twenty-nine individuals will be tested for certification in 6 languages: Arabic, Cantonese, French, Mandarin, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Contact Sheryl Connolly, Trial Court Services Director, 402-471-2671, sconnolly@nsc.state.ne.us.

Judicial Branch Education
Conference Updates
Nebraska district judges were treated to a conference sponsored by a grant from the State Justice Institute. The National Judicial College came to Omaha and partnered with Nebraska judges in putting on a Capital Litigation “Best Practices” conference August 27 - August 29. A special thanks goes out to Judges Moran, Rogers, Colborn and Icenogle who joined a national faculty to put together the 3-day conference. Former Justice Penny White from Tennessee was joined by Judge Michael Sage from Ohio, Judge Sharon Wilson from Texas and Dr. Melissa Piassecki from Nevada. The National Judicial College staff compiled materials and sent staff to coordinate the event. Approximately 37 judges participated in the conference which covered the guilt phase and sentencing scheme in capital cases. The judges benefited from top notch education with no investment of state funds.

JBE has obtained a grant that will provide for another national faculty conference this year. The judges with juvenile jurisdiction have been invited to attend a one-day event at Mahoney State Park on November 15, 2007, which provides best practices guidance when dealing with juvenile sex offenders. This will be conducted with funds from the National Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges partnering with other public policy entities to sponsor the program. The judges have been asked to fill out a needs assessment in anticipation of the program in order to best address local issues.

Clerk magistrates met in North Platte at their annual meeting on September 19 - 21. Judicial Branch Education will sponsor a “Judicial Administration” Certification Program for clerks. A set curriculum of classes will be offered over a 3-year period to clerks of the district court and county clerk magistrates. Upon completion of the program which focuses on court administration duties, a certification will be awarded. The classes will be offered in conjunction with annual education meetings of clerks.

Contact Carole McMahon-Boies, Director, Judicial Branch Education, 402-471-3072, cmcmahonboies@nsc.state.ne.us.

Probation Organizational Development
Rural Improvement for Schooling and Employment (RISE) Program
A new probation administration program, Rural Improvement for Schooling and Employment (RISE) has been implemented in eight rural sites across the state. The purpose of this program is to help secure education and employment opportunities for adult and juvenile probationers in rural areas. Probation Administration received grant funds to place AmeriCorps members as RISE Program Specialists in the following counties: Gage (Sara Miley), Platte/Saunders (Lori Tichota), Dodge (Emily Kirschenmann), Madison (Cheryl Riege), Adams (Suzanne Swanson), Hall (Jennifer Hanisch), Lincoln (Susan Gillett), and Scotts Bluff (Melissa Segura). Through this program, probation is able to expand services to rural communities and AmeriCorps members have a unique opportunity to implement this new program.

RISE Program Specialists will be providing continuous support to probationers seeking education and employment, as well as facilitating a basic 6-9 week curriculum that will help each participant overcome the various obstacles of gaining education and employment. Specifically, the curriculum will assist participants in creating a resume and will give them an opportunity to practice their interviewing skills. The curriculum also has components that will help participants answer the ever daunting “felony question.” Finally, the curriculum will assist those wanting to further their education with identifying educational opportunities in the community, as well as provide assistance with scholarships and other forms of financial assistance.

Research has shown that an offender’s employment and education is an indicator in their risk to re-offend. It is probation’s hope that this program will have an effect on the program participant’s life success, as well as the overall safety of the community.

Contact Toni Ahrendt, Domestic Violence Programs Service Specialist, 402-471-2125, toni.ahrendt@nsc.ne.gov.

Trial Court Services
Guardianship Training Program
The Guardianship Training Program created by the UNL Extension Educators has been awarded the National Extension Association Consumer Science Award for Complete Curriculum at the group's annual meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota. This ground-breaking program, which is approved by the Supreme Court and meets the Court’s requirements for all newly appointed guardians, is being offered to other states wanting to improve or implement their own guardianship training.

Contact Sheryl Connolly, Trial Court Services Director, 402-471-2671, sconnolly@nsc.state.ne.us.

2007 Judicial Branch Education Meetings/Trainings
October 17 – 19, Judges’ Fall Education Meeting, Lincoln
December 11 – 13, NACO Conference, Lincoln

2008 Judicial Branch Education Meetings/Trainings
June 4 – 6, District Judges Meeting, Grand Island
June 25 – 27, County Judges Meeting, Omaha
October 22 – 24, Judges' Fall Education Meeting, Omaha.

Contact Carole McMahon-Boies, Director, JBE, 402-471-3072, cmcmahonboies@nsc.state.ne.us.

Upcoming State Holidays
October 8, Columbus Day
November 12, Veterans Day
November 22-23, Thanksgiving Day & Friday following
December 25, Christmas Day

Filing and Reporting Requirements
• Statement for Payment of Interpreters: Interpreter to submit between the 1st and 7th day of each month.
• Judges’ Cases Under Advisement Reports: Due by the 5th day of each month (reports are compiled and submitted to the Supreme Court).
• Court Reporter Timesheets: Due by the 5th day of each month (judges are to sign time sheets prior to submission).
• Permanently Assigned Vehicle Logs: Due by the 5th day of each month.
• Report of Probate Cases Pending: Due by the 10th day of each month.
• County Court Time Sheets: Due by the 10th day of each month.
• Stenographer Transcription Reports: Due by the 10th day of each month.
• Cash Drawer Short/Long Transactions (County Court only): Due by the 10th day of each month.
• Expense Vouchers: Submit on a monthly basis (rather than combining several months of expenses on one voucher).