Courts in Nebraska
| More information on Nebraska's state courts: |
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| Selection methods Elections Salaries Federal courts |
In Nebraska, there is one federal district court, a state supreme court, a state court of appeals, and trial courts with both general and limited jurisdiction. These courts serve different purposes, which are outlined in the sections below.
Click a link for information about that court type.
The image below depicts the flow of cases through Nebraska's state court system. Cases typically originate in the trial courts and can be appealed to courts higher up in the system.
Judicial selection process
- See also: Judicial selection in Nebraska and Nebraska judicial elections
Selection of state court judges in Nebraska occurs through merit selection, specifically the assisted appointment method. Appointed judges serve for three years, after which they must stand for retention during the next general election if they wish to remain on the court. Subsequent terms last six years.[1][2]
To read more about judicial elections in Nebraska, click here.
Federal courts
The federal district court in Nebraska is the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska.
Appeals from this court are heard in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.
Active judges
| Judge | Appointed By | Assumed Office | Bachelors | Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 29, 2016 - |
Purdue University, 1978 |
Creighton University School of Law, 1981 |
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| August 6, 2019 - |
University of Nebraska, 1997 |
Georgetown University Law Center, 2000 |
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| April 10, 2024 - |
University of Nebraska, Omaha, 1990 |
Creighton University School of Law, 1993 |
The list below displays the number of active judges by the party of the appointing president. It does not reflect how a judge may rule on specific cases or their own political preferences.
- Democrat appointed: 2
- Republican appointed: 1
Judicial selection
Judges who sit on the federal district courts are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. These judges serve life terms. To read more about the judges on these courts, click here.
Bankruptcy courts
There is one federal bankruptcy court in Nebraska. This court has subject-matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. The federal bankruptcy court in Nebraska is:
State supreme court
- See also Nebraska Supreme Court
Founded in 1875, the Nebraska Supreme Court is the state's court of last resort and has seven judgeships. The position of chief judge is currently held by Jeffrey Funke.[3][4]
As of January 2025, six judges on the court were appointed by a Republican governor, and one judge was appointed by a Democratic governor.
The following judges sit on the court:
| Office | Name | Party | Date assumed office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice | Jeffrey Funke | Nonpartisan | November 1, 2024 |
| Nebraska Supreme Court District 1 | Stephanie Stacy | Nonpartisan | September 28, 2015 |
| Nebraska Supreme Court District 2 | Lindsey Miller-Lerman | Nonpartisan | September 1, 1998 |
| Nebraska Supreme Court District 3 | William Cassel | Nonpartisan | May 9, 2012 |
| Nebraska Supreme Court District 4 | Jonathan Papik | Nonpartisan | 2018 |
| Nebraska Supreme Court District 5 | Jason Bergevin | Nonpartisan | February 14, 2025 |
| Nebraska Supreme Court District 6 | John Freudenberg | Nonpartisan | July 6, 2018 |
State court of appeals
- See also Nebraska Court of Appeals
The Nebraska Court of Appeals the intermediate appellate court in Nebraska. It was established by a constitutional amendment on September 6, 1991, and is primarily located in the Nebraska State Capitol in Lincoln. There are six judges on the court. The districts from which the court of appeals judges are appointed are the same as those used for the six supreme court justices.[2]
The following judges sit on the court:
| Judge | Tenure | Appointed By |
|---|---|---|
|
August 23, 2012 - Present |
David Heineman |
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|
July 19, 2013 - Present |
David Heineman |
|
|
June 24, 2011 - Present |
David Heineman |
|
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2016 - Present |
Pete Ricketts |
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2018 - Present |
Pete Ricketts |
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January 28, 2000 - Present |
Mike Johanns |
Trial courts
District courts
- See also Nebraska District Courts
There are 12 district courts in Nebraska. These courts encompass one or more counties and have general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. They also hear appeals from the county courts.[5][6]
County courts
- See also: Nebraska County Courts
The Nebraska County Courts handle cases regarding "small claims, probate, guardianship, conservatorship, adoption, and municipal ordinance violation[s]." They also handle civil cases involving up to $57,000, some juvenile cases, preliminary hearings in felony criminal cases, and misdemeanor criminal/traffic infraction cases.[7]
Separate juvenile courts
- See also: Nebraska Separate Juvenile Courts
The Nebraska Separate Juvenile Courts have jurisdiction over juvenile issues. In Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy counties, there are separate juvenile courts. In the other counties, juvenile matters are heard in the county courts.[7]
Workers' compensation court
- See also: Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court
The Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court mediates disputes under the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act.[8]
Problem-solving courts
- See also: Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts
The Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts handle a wide range of cases, including domestic disputes, drug-related charges, and community issues. A majority of Nebraska's judicial districts contain problem-solving courts. Problem-solving courts include specialized drug courts, domestic violence courts, community courts, family treatment courts, DUI courts, and mental health courts.[9]
In other states
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Nebraska," archived October 2, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "Branch Overview," accessed March 4, 2021
- ↑ State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "Nebraska Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Annual Caseload Report," accessed September 19, 2019 (page 3)
- ↑ Find Law, "Nebraska Constitution of 1875 Art. V § 1," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ Justia, "Nebraska Case Law," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "District Court Judges," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "County Courts," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court, "History, Mission, and Organization," accessed March 9, 2021
- ↑ State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, "Problem-Solving Courts," accessed March 9, 2021
Federal courts:
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Nebraska • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Nebraska
State courts:
Nebraska Supreme Court • Nebraska Court of Appeals • Nebraska District Courts • Nebraska County Courts • Nebraska Separate Juvenile Courts • Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court • Nebraska Problem-Solving Courts
State resources:
Courts in Nebraska • Nebraska judicial elections • Judicial selection in Nebraska
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