This year’s Annual Judicial Branch Employee Recognition Awards will be presented virtually on December 15, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. CST. Employees of the Judicial Branch and members of the public may watch the ceremony via NET at https://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/television/judicial-branch...

Leading the way for safe, innovative drug testing in Probation District 5 were Drug Technicians Michael Miller and Mark Borges. The two piloted "drive-through drug testing" where probation clients remain in their cars for both the drug and alcohol test, limiting COVID exposure for both clients and...

Chief Justice Heavican and justices of the Supreme Court hosted a Judicial Branch orientation program on December 2, 2020, for newly elected senators who will serve the 2021-2025 term. Senators gathered in the Court of Appeals courtroom for an overview of the Judicial Branch, including an update on...

Positivity, cooperation, and communication are three of the hallmarks of Judge Timothy Hoeft’s leadership and management style and each has been successfully demonstrated over the past several months. During COVID-19’s ever-evolving regulations, he prioritized communication with the staff and the...

The following new and revised forms were recently uploaded to the website. In response to legislative changes effective on November 14, 2020: Plaintiff’s Claim and Notice to Defendant (Small Claims) Ch6Art14App4 (CC4:1). LB1028 removed the requirement for a notary to witness the plaintiff’s...

The Office of Public Guardian (OPG) is launching a holiday card drive to spread a little holiday cheer to the people they serve. Many of their clients have been isolated since March to combat the spread of COVID-19. Nursing homes, assisted livings, homeless shelters, and other congregate living...

Vernon Daniels, Separate Juvenile Court Judge in Douglas County, appeared virtually at the Governor’s weekly press conference on November 9, 2020, to discuss and promote adoptions through the foster care system. In introducing Daniels, the Governor remarked about the judge, “He has seen cases of...

Guided by empathy and compassion in his day-to-day work, Special Populations Probation Officer Skyler Brouwer creates opportunities to assist with clients' social and emotional needs whenever possible. Recently, when making a routine home visit to a transitional living house, he found a visibly...

With the election over in Nebraska, the Judicial Branch is again reaching out to new and returning senators to arrange visits with local judges and chief probation officers. Legislative term limits make it even more essential to educate senators on the Judicial Branch’s role and importance. The...

Traci Loker was sworn-in as Clerk Magistrate of Frontier County Court in Stockville on November 18, 2020, by County Court Judge Kent Turnbull. Loker continues the tradition of combined Clerk’s offices in Frontier County, serving as both clerk magistrate of the county court and ex officio clerk of...