Judge of the Separate Juvenile Court of Douglas County Vernon Daniels announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2026. Judge Daniels has served as a Separate Juvenile Court Judge in Omaha since his appointment in 2001.

In his announcement letter to the governor, Judge Daniels said, “Through the hard work of case professionals of every yoke/ for 35+ years I have had a front row seat in witnessing the impossible become possible for children and families. For me this has consumed and has been the joy and fulfillment of my professional career - the last 25 years as a judge of the Separate Juvenile Court.”

In 2021, Judge Daniels received the Nebraska Supreme Courts Distinguished Judge Award for Service to the Judiciary. These awards, given annually, recognize members off the judiciary for meritorious projects and exemplary accomplishments beyond the day-to-day duties of a judge. Judge Daniels was honored for his unwavering dedication to uphold the integrity of the juvenile justice system, as well as his efforts in successfully implementing the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative in Douglas County.

After taking the bench in 2001, Judge Daniels was retained in his position by area voters, most recently in 2022. The first step in replacing Judge Daniels will be for the Judicial Resources Commission to call a meeting to determine whether or not, based on judicial workload statistics, his retirement creates a judicial vacancy on the Separate Juvenile Court bench in Douglas County. 

News Reporters:

• Judge Daniels’ Judicial Profile
• Replacing a Judge in the Nebraska Trial Court System
• Judicial Resources Commission Information