New Jury Qualification Form and Video to Show How Serving on a Jury is More Than a Civic Duty; It Increases Transparency
Beginning January 1, 2026, the Nebraska Supreme Court requires all Nebraska trial courts to use a new, streamlined Juror Qualification Form. The new form was redesigned with the goals of making the form easier to complete, improving the uniformity of jury management practices statewide, and improving data collection.
As a unified court system, Nebraska has a uniform Juror Qualification Form that trial courts are required by Supreme Court rule to use. “Both the prior and revised Juror Qualification Form support compliance with Nebraska’s Jury Selection Act,” commented Amy Prenda, Deputy Administrator for Court Services Division. “However, the new form is easier for prospective jurors to complete and will also explain why it is so important for them to answer all of the question on the form, including the questions that ask for their personal and demographic information.” Providing the courts and parties with personal and demographic information information not only helps to ensure jury pools represent a fair cross-section of the community, but this information is also used to assist the trial courts in contacting prospective jurors about their jury service, determining whether a prospective juror is qualified to serve on a jury, and determining whether a prospective juror’s jury service should be postponed or the prospective juror should be exempted or excused.
All juror data is confidential and may only be disclosed as allowed by Nebraska law. Only the Nebraska Supreme Court or those as agents of the Supreme Court may access the Juror Qualification Forms for research purposes, and Nebraska statute prohibits the Supreme Court from releasing information that would identify any individual who completed the form.
As part of the new Juror Qualification Form, the Nebraska Supreme Court has also included a link to a video that will provide prospective jurors with information about the importance of completing and returning the form and serving on a jury. “We want Nebraskans to not only understand it is their civic duty to serve on a jury, but we want them excited to serve,” stated Corey Steel, State Court Administrator. “Jury service is one of the only instances where the public has a direct voice in the judicial system.” Serving on a jury provides a unique opportunity to learn firsthand how the justice system operates, and the essential role jurors play in resolving civil and criminal cases in a manner that ensures fairness and impartiality. Steel expects the new Juror Qualification Form and rule will provide Nebraskans with a better understanding of jury service and help them understand how their active participation helps maintain public confidence in the courts and a greater respect for the Nebraska justice system.
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Contact:
Amy Prenda, Deputy Administrator for Court Services Division
(531) 350-0115
amy.prenda@nejudicial.gov