Although interrupted by COVID-19 concerns, the second session of the 106th Legislature reconvened on July 20 and adjourned for the year on August 13. Legislative topics that impact the judicial branch this year include county court civil procedures, removal of e-filing barriers, and juries. In...

The National Association of Probation Executives (NAPE) has honored Nebraska State Probation Administrator, Deborah A. Minardi, with their 2020 leadership award. The award, presented on August 25, 2020, is based on demonstrated leadership qualities of those who participate in the National...

The need for court interpreters continues to increase across the state of Nebraska, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited English proficient court and probation users rely upon Nebraska’s qualified court interpreters to tell their own stories in their own words. The Language Access Team...

Chief Probation Officer Jodi York announced her retirement effective October 2, 2020, after over 25 years of service to the Judicial Branch. In a letter announcing her departure, York noted, “I literally grew up in this system and, for 25 years, I have enjoyed my career. We have changed so much over...

A new episode of Your Nebraska Judicial Branch has been released featuring Kelly Riley, Director of the Office of Dispute Resolution. Listen in as she describes the mediation process, and why it is such a powerful tool for parties engaging with the judicial system. In addition, Riley discusses the...

Associate Public Guardian, Kimmie Fox, set the standard for care of wards with COVID-19 in the very early days of Nebraska’s epidemic. The first Nebraska OPG ward to be diagnosed with the virus was one of Kimmie’s clients. She oversaw complicated medical care, including the transfer of her ward to...

Representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation, Rehabilitative Services Division, Melissa Koch, (Juvenile Behavioral Health Specialist, top photo) and Michelle Nunemaker, (Programs and Services Officer, bottom photo), were selected to present modules at the American...

The Sarpy County Reentry Court held its second graduation ceremony and celebration on August 17, 2020, in Papillion, Nebraska. For Reentry Court graduates, the ceremony marked the completion of an intensive program of comprehensive drug treatment, close supervision, and full accountability...

The article linked below was written by State Problem-Solving Court Director Adam Jorgensen and is reprinted with permission of the Nebraska State Bar Association, The Nebraska Lawyer (July/August 2020). Read full article from The Nebraska Lawyer: Family Treatment Courts in Nebraska

New Law Clerk Orientation, held August 3, 2020, was attended by ten newly-hired clerks in the Court of Appeals courtroom. Attendance was in-person, so each lawyer came masked and ready to learn about his or her new position. Morning presentations began with Greg Sunderman from Judicial Branch...