These rules for the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District shall become effective upon approval by the Supreme Court, and such approved rules shall be published on the Nebraska Judicial Branch website consistent with the Nebraska Supreme Court Rules.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended September 21, 2022.

   A. Presiding Judge. The presiding judge, elected each year at the annual or special meeting of judges, shall supervise the administration of the court.

   B. Assignments. By majority vote of all the judges, any assignment of the presiding judge affecting the entire court may be reviewed at a special meeting of the judges called for that purpose, and by majority vote of all the judges, an assignment by the presiding judge may be changed.

   C. Term of Court. Effective July 1, 2023, the regular term of the court shall be deemed to commence on July 1 of each calendar year, and shall be deemed to conclude on June 30 of the following calendar year. No order opening or closing such term shall be required.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; Rule 4-1(C) amended September 21, 2022.

   A. Identification. Each pleading filed with the Clerk of the District Court and each order submitted for judicial action must be specifically identified by type, e.g., Motion (Continuance); Motion (To Compel Response To Discovery Request); Motion (Temporary Allowances); Motion (To Suppress Evidence); Order (Summary Judgment); Order (Show Cause--Contempt). The caption of each complaint or amended complaint in a civil action shall state whether the action is one at law or in equity.

   B. Motions.

   1. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all motions or similar filings which require a hearing shall be filed in the case prior to the scheduled hearing. At the time of making said filing, the party shall obtain a date for hearing thereon from the judge in charge of the case or, in the absence of the judge or at the judge's direction, from a member of the judge's office staff. Timely notice of said hearing shall be served on the opposing party. All motions or similar filings shall contain a certificate by the serving party of how the opposing party was notified. When a document is electronically filed via the court-authorized service provider, the provisions of Neb. Ct. R. § 2-205 shall control.

   2. The court may, in its discretion and in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 24-303(2) and 24-734(5)(a) (Cum. Supp. 2020), receive evidence and hear oral argument on any motion or similar filing by telephonic, videoconferencing,  or other similar methods.

   3. Continuances Or Additional Time To Plead. Motions or applications for continuance of any matter shall state the reasons a continuance should be granted and must be filed before the time set for the matter sought to be continued. Except where unusual circumstances require, no more than one continuance may be granted. Stipulations for continuances shall be subject to the approval of the court. All continuances shall be to a date certain and stated in the order granting the same, unless otherwise ordered by the court. No order granting a continuance shall be made ex parte. In the event such motion or application fails to show that the motion has been agreed upon, it shall be set for hearing in the same manner as any other motion.

   4. Motions to Compel. On notice to other parties and all affected persons, a party may move for an order compelling disclosure or discovery. The motion must include a certification that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with the person or party failing to make disclosure or discovery in an effort to obtain it without court action.

   C. Court Case Management System. The Clerk of the District Court and Court Administrator shall each be responsible for compiling and adding attorney information for each case, and for keeping attorney information current in the Court Case Management System.

   D. Pleadings In Default. A party in default of a pleading may, before judgment on motion, notice, and good cause shown, file the same within such time and upon such terms as the court may order.

   E. Amendments to Pleadings. Amendments to pleadings after the answer is filed may be allowed within the discretion of the court. In no instance shall an amendment of a pleading be made by erasure, substitution, interlineation, or otherwise. A party who has obtained leave to amend a pleading, but fails to do so within the time limited, shall be considered as electing to abide by his former pleading. In no case of amendment shall the original pleading be obliterated or withdrawn from the files.

   F. Costs. Except for criminal cases and proceedings wherein an order sustaining an affidavit  to proceed in forma pauperis is filed, court costs shall be paid when actions are commenced and thereafter when liability for additional costs accrues. An attorney or self-represented litigant is responsible to the Clerk of the District Court for costs incurred at the attorney's or self-represented litigant's request and shall immediately pay the same upon receipt of the Clerk's statement of such fees.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; Rule 4-2A amended October 26, 2005; Rule 4-2 amended September 21, 2022. 

   A. Child Support Referee Exceptions.

   1. Contempt matters that involve immediate jail sentences shall be taken without delay to the duty judge of the District Court from a hearing before a Child Support Referee. The duty judge shall enter an order affirming or denying the findings and recommendations of the Referee.

   2. All other Exceptions to the findings and recommendations of the Child Support Referee shall be filed with the District Judge assigned to the case pursuant to Rule 4-12A. The Exception must be filed within fourteen days of the filing of the Referee’s Report. A copy of the Exceptions shall be served upon the opposing party and counsel. The assigned District Judge shall conduct a review on the Referee’s Report and the transcript of the hearing. The review shall be de novo on the record before the Child Support Referee, unless the District Court in its discretion allows the presentation of new evidence. The District Judge has the discretion to ratify or modify the Referee’s Report and enter judgment, or the District Judge may sustain the Exception and enter judgment. The rights to move for rehearing and to appeal are reserved to all parties.

   The party filing the exceptions shall promptly deliver a copy of the exceptions to the courtroom to which the matter has been assigned. 

   B. Assignment of Cases: Post-Decree Proceedings. All post-decree proceedings presented for filing within twelve (12) months after the entry of the initial dispositive decree in a domestic relations case shall be assigned to the judge to whom the case was originally assigned at the time of the filing of the action. Post-decree proceedings presented for filing after the passage of twelve (12) months from the entry of the original dispositive decree shall be assigned to a judge by random selection through use of such computerized or manual means as may be designated by the presiding judge. No post-decree proceeding shall be reassigned until the 30-day time for appeal has passed.

   C. Confidential Information. No document filed in the public record of a case shall have complete vehicle identification numbers, account numbers, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or other personal identification information. Real estate shall be described by legal description in addition to street address.

   D. Temporary Support and Allowances. Except where a party appears as a self-represented litigant and live testimony is required, or unless otherwise ordered, evidence shall be submitted by affidavits. Affidavits shall set forth information required by Nebraska Child Support Guidelines and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2930 (Reissue 2016). The District Court Administrator shall provide form affidavits in the Court Administrator’s Office and at the District Court’s website, www.dc4dc.com. Affidavits submitted in digital format shall be limited to an aggregate total of ten (10) pages or less. Affidavits that exceed an aggregate total of ten (10) pages shall be submitted in hard copy. The moving party shall provide the Court and opposing counsel or the non-moving party, if not represented, the supporting affidavits at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the hearing, together with a notice of the hearing. The non-moving party shall submit to the Court and the moving party or counsel for the moving party, if the moving party is represented, any responsive affidavit(s) within twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hearing. The deadlines within this section exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and nonjudicial days as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2221 (Cum. Supp. 2024). Other than ex parte relief allowed by statute, the court, in its discretion, may decline to consider any affidavit unless it has been exchanged in compliance with these guidelines.

   E. Prior Rule 4-3(E), concerning Conciliation and Mediation, has been transferred to its own rule, Rule 4-3.1. Please see Rule 4-3.1 for rules and procedures related to Conciliation and Mediation/Facilitation.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended effective May 1, 1998; amended effective March 12, 1999; amended effective June 19, 2002; amended effective January 18, 2007; amended effective May 7, 2008; amended effective September 9, 2010; amended effective November 12, 2015; amended effective May 29, 2019; amended effective September 11, 2019; amended effective December 18, 2019; amended effective March 24, 2021; amended  September 21, 2022; amended February 16, 2023; amended January 17, 2024; amended April 22, 2026.

  A. Definitions. The following Definitions are used in this rule.

  1. A “domestic-relations matter involving children” includes filings for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, and determination-of-paternity cases which involve issues of custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access with a child.

  2. “Conciliation” as used in this Rule means “Conciliation Court” or “The Conciliation and Mediation Services Office.”

  3. “Facilitator” as used in this rule means persons qualified as “approved specialized mediators” pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2938(3) (Cum. Supp. 2024).

  4. “Facilitation” means “specialized alternative dispute resolution” (SADR) process as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2922(23) (Cum. Supp. 2024).

  5. “Parenting Plan Checklist” means a checklist maintained by Conciliation per local rule, listing the requirements for a Parenting Plan, which shall include all issues of child custody, parenting time, visitation, other access, and any other issues relating to the children that may be susceptible to mediation or the specialized alternative dispute resolution process.

  6. The “Mediation Committee” means a standing committee of the District Court and will be composed of four (4) Judges, the Conciliation and Mediation Services Director, at least one outside mediator/advisor, and such other persons as the Committee deems necessary. The Chair Judge of Conciliation and Mediation Services will chair this Committee and may be consulted individually, as may be needed by the Conciliation and Mediation Services Director, for answers on day-to-day operations of the mediation program.

  B. Register With Conciliation. Within ten (10) days of filing an initial complaint in a domestic-relations matter involving children, the filing party shall be required to register with or contact Conciliation. Register with Conciliation by going to https://www.dc4dc.com/conciliation-a-mediation to register for a basic level parenting class, or, if taking a different approved basic level parent education class, contact Conciliation at 402-444-7169 to provide current address, telephone number, and e-mail. Any questions can be directed to Conciliation at this phone number.

  Within ten (10) days of service of process, the party served shall likewise be required to register with or contact Conciliation as described above. Prior to the entry of any order awarding temporary relief, the moving party shall certify that the party has registered with or contacted Conciliation.

  C. Parent Education Classes. Parents who are parties to domestic-relations matters involving children are required to attend an approved parent education classes as set forth in the Conciliation Court Practices, Policies and Procedures (“Conciliation Policies”). The Conciliation Policies are available online at https://www.dc4dc.com/conciliation-a-mediation or by calling 402-444-7169. Completion of the class is required within 30 days of registering with or contacting Conciliation unless an extension is granted. However, be aware that any court deadline in your specific case may require sooner completion.

  D. Parenting Plan Checklist. Conciliation shall maintain a Parenting Plan Checklist, which shall include issues of child custody, parenting time, visitation, other access, and any other issues relating to the children that may be susceptible to mediation or the specialized alternative dispute resolution process.

  E. Approval of Parenting Plans. All Parenting Plan agreements shall be forwarded to Conciliation where Conciliation staff shall review said Parenting Plan agreements for compliance with Conciliation’s Parenting Plan Checklist. Conciliation staff shall then forward a copy of the approved Parenting Plan agreement, along with the appropriate closure form to the Clerk of the District Court for filing.

  F. Required Mediation/Facilitation. Except as otherwise required by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2937(4) (Cum. Supp. 2024), when the parties or their counsel are unable to negotiate a parenting plan agreement which satisfies the requirements of the 4-3.1 Parenting Plan Checklist, then the parties are required to meet and confer with either the Director of Conciliation or another assigned mediator to mediate/facilitate a Parenting Plan that addresses the Parenting Plan Checklist. Conciliation Court will prepare a manual of Conciliation Policies for distribution on its website, https://www.dc4dc.com/conciliation-a-mediation, with the purpose of advising the filing parties, their attorneys, and mediators and facilitators, of the Fourth Judicial District’s local procedures for required mediation and conciliation. All contents of the Conciliation Policies manual must be in accordance with applicable court rules and state law. If the Conciliation Policies manual conflicts with court rules or state law, the court rule or state law shall prevail. Among other topics, the Conciliation Policies shall provide detail on the local processes for:

  1. Assignment of a mediator;

  2. Parent education, mediation, and specialized alternative dispute resolution facilitation; and

  3. Requesting mediation/facilitation or requesting a judge to waive mediation/facilitation.

  At any time in the proceedings, an interested individual may request mediation/facilitation, or a judge may order or waive mediation/facilitation. The term “interested individual” in Rule 4-3.1(F)(4) means those listed in § 43-2936--parties, guardians ad litem, and social service agencies--as well as those “serving in parenting roles” under § 43-2923(3) whose continued participation in the children’s lives is a necessary consideration under the best interests factors of the Parenting Act. More detail on this process is set forth in the Conciliation Policies.

  G. Requirements Before Scheduling Trial. No trial date or other dispositive hearing will be scheduled until (1) attendance at the appropriate, required, and approved parent education class has been completed and mediation or other SADR facilitation process has been attempted to resolve issues of custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access, unless these requirements have been waived, and (2) the parties have filed a Proposed Scheduling Order pursuant to Fourth Judicial District Local Court Rule 4-10, provided, however, that failure or refusal to participate by a party shall not delay entry of a final judgment by more than six (6) months.

  H. Re-mediation Requirements for Modifications. Before filing a Complaint to Modify (Parenting Plan); an Application for Order to Show Cause (Parenting Plan); or a Motion to Enforce Parenting Time, Visitation, or Other Access Orders, the filing party shall:

  1. Register with Conciliation. Register with Conciliation by going to https://www.dc4dc.com/conciliation-a-mediation/parenting-program-sign-up to register for a 2nd Level Parent Education Class or, if taking a different approved 2nd Level Parent Education Class, contact Conciliation at 402-444-7169 to provide current address, telephone number, and e-mail. Any questions can be directed to Conciliation at this phone number. Additional details on this process and its requirements are contained in the Conciliation Policies is available online at https://www.dc4dc.com/conciliation-a-mediation.

  2. Complete an approved and required 2nd Level Parent Education Class.

  3. Participate in re-mediation as described in the Conciliation Policies available online at https://www.dc4dc.com/conciliation-a-mediation, unless excused under Part I of this Rule, below.

  I. Modification Pleading Requirements. Any party filing a Complaint to Modify (Parenting Plan), an Application for Order to Show Cause (Parenting Plan), or a Motion to Enforce Parenting Time, Visitation, or Other Access Orders must state in the pleading the date the approved 2nd Level Parent Education Class was completed and the date re-mediation was held and the outcome of remediation, or that such requirements have been waived by Conciliation due to complete agreement of the parties on all issues. If the filing party claims his or her attempt to re-mediate was thwarted by the other party, the filing party shall state with specificity in the pleading the filing party’s good faith efforts to re-mediate and the other party's responses thereto.

  J. Conciliation List of Mediators/Facilitators. Conciliation shall maintain a list of mediators and facilitators approved by the District Judges and the Mediation Committee of the District Court. 

  K. Mediator/Facilitator Fees. Court-approved mediators and facilitators will determine their own fees and will provide a copy of their fee schedule to the Conciliation and Mediation Services Director. In order to be on the 4-3.1 Panel list of court-approved mediators and facilitators, a mediator or facilitator must agree to use a sliding-fee scale based on a party’s financial need. The current sliding-fee scale range shall be approved by the Conciliation Committee and stated in the Conciliation Policies available online at https://www.dc4dc.com/conciliation-a-mediation. Court-approved mediators and facilitators must also agree to take pro bono cases on an “as needed” basis. Conciliation will determine the need for such pro bono services, so that the burden of these cases is equitably distributed among the participating mediators and facilitators. 

  L. Judicial Orders to Mediate. 

  1. Order contents. When a judge refers a case for mediation or specialized alternative dispute resolution, the judge will indicate the issues to be mediated or facilitated, as well as any choice of a mediator or facilitator if the judge has a preference. The judge may also indicate whether there is a particular mediator or facilitator whom the judge does not wish to use. If financial issues are to be mediated, the case will be assigned to an attorney mediator. 

  2. If the judge does not assign a specific mediator or facilitator, and the parties do not mutually agree upon a mediator, Conciliation will assign a mediator according to the process described in the Conciliation Policies. 

  3.The attorneys or self-represented litigants shall notify Conciliation when mediation has been ordered by the Court and shall provide Conciliation with all necessary party information within five (5) business days.

  M. Written Agreements and Objections.

  1. Written Agreement. If the parties reach an agreement through mediation or the SADR specialized alternative dispute-resolution facilitation process, the agreement shall be reduced to writing. The mediator or the facilitator shall provide copies of the agreement to the parties and their attorneys.

  2. Notice of time for Objections. The mediator or facilitator shall provide the parties, with a copy of the written agreement, a notice informing the parties and their attorneys of their right to express their objections to the written agreement. The notice shall inform the parties and their attorneys that they have twenty-one (21) days from the date of the notice to notify the mediator or facilitator of any written objections to the terms of the agreement.

  3. Limitations on Trial Objections. At trial, parties shall not present evidence intended to object to a provision in an approved parenting plan or to show a material change in circumstances subsequent to the filing of a final agreement unless a written motion asking leave of the court to present such evidence at trial, accompanied by a notice of hearing, has been filed with the court and has been heard and granted prior to the trial.

  N. Mediation Letter. The Mediation Committee will prepare a letter, for distribution by the District Court Administrator, advising the filing parties and their attorneys that attendance at an approved basic level parent education class is mandatory and required for domestic-relations matters involving children under the age of majority and must be completed within the time frame specified in this rule. The letter should also advise the parties and counsel (1) that Parenting Plans and issues of child custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access with a child will be referred for mediation or specialized alternative dispute resolution; (2) that no trial or other dispositive hearing will be scheduled until attendance at the required parent-education seminar has been completed and mediation or specialized alternative dispute resolution to resolve issues of custody, parenting time, visitation, or other access has been attempted; (3) that failure or refusal to participate by a party shall not delay entry of a final judgment by more than six (6) months; and (4) that issues of domestic-violence, domestic intimate-partner abuse, or child abuse or neglect may, upon consideration by the trial court, disqualify the parties from parent education, mediation, or the specialized alternative dispute resolution processes. The Clerk of the District Court is directed to include this letter with the filing and service packets distributed by the Clerk.

  O. Conciliation Staff Follow Deadlines. The Conciliation staff will follow up on the deadlines set by the court, including any extensions of time that have been granted.

Adopted April 22, 2026.

   A. Criminal Trials. In consideration of the right to a speedy trial contained in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-1207 (Reissue 2016), criminal cases shall, as nearly as possible, be called for trial in the order of appearance on the docket.

   B. Arraignment. A defendant who has been bound over on a felony charge and is represented by counsel may file a written waiver of arraignment and plea of not guilty pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-4206 (Reissue 2016).

   C. Criminal Jury Trial Priority. For the purpose of jury selection, those courts trying criminal cases shall be given priority.

   D. Failure to Appear. If a defendant fails to appear and a bond forfeiture is ordered, it shall be the duty of the prosecutor to take all further legal action necessary to ensure that judgment is entered upon the bond forfeiture.

   E. Criminal Pretrial Conference. The prosecutor attending a pretrial conference shall be fully knowledgeable about the case and shall have the authority to make decisions concerning trial dates, discovery, pleas, and similar matters relating to the timely disposition of the case. Any attorney attending such a conference on behalf of a defendant shall likewise be fully knowledgeable about the case and shall have obtained the defendant’s authorization to make similar decisions.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended effective April 18, 1997; amended effective June 15, 2016; amended September 21, 2022. 

     When a party files a brief with the Clerk of the District Court pursuant to Neb. Ct. R. § 6-1505, the party shall simultaneously e-mail an electronic copy of the brief to the judge’s bailiff and deliver a hard copy of the brief to the judge.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended September 21, 2022.

   [Reserved.]

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended September 21, 2022. 

   A. Searches. In the discretion of the security officers, upon order of the court, any person may be subjected to a search of his or her person for possession of any weapons, destructive device, or components thereof.

   B. Electronic Devices. The use of cell phones and other electronic devices in the courtroom is prohibited by anyone including counsel without the permission of the court. Nothing in this rule shall be read to conflict with Nebraska Supreme Court Rules on expanded media coverage at Neb. Ct. R. § 6-2003 et seq.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended September 21, 2022. 

   The Court Administrator shall have general supervision over and administer the nonjudicial activities and functions of the court; appoint and remove personnel of the office of the Court Administrator subject to the approval of the District Court Continuity Committee; direct the work of all personnel of the office of the Court Administrator; procure supplies and equipment; provide reports relating to the business and administration of the court; prepare the court's budget and payroll; maintain liaison with governmental and other public and private groups interested in the administration of the court; attend meetings of the judges and serve as secretary; and perform such other duties assigned by the court for proper and efficient administration. In addition, the Court Administrator shall coordinate jury management with the Clerk of the District Court.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended September 21, 2022.

   A. Availability of Party or Counsel During Jury Deliberations. During jury deliberations, counsel and self-represented litigants shall keep the court informed of their location and shall keep themselves available on short notice personally or by telephone, as ordered by the court.

   B. Absence of Party or Counsel on Receipt of Verdict. Unless otherwise requested, the court will not deem it necessary in civil cases that any party be present in person or by counsel when the jury returns to the courtroom with its verdict.

   C. Presence of Defendant in Criminal Cases. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, all defendants in criminal cases shall, during the deliberations of the jury, remain in the building in which trial was held.

   D. Six-Person Jury. Civil cases may be tried to a six-person jury by stipulation of the parties and approval by the court.

   E. Jury Impanelment; Divisions of Court; Priority. For the purpose of jury trials, the court shall be divided into two groups, Panel A and Panel B, each of which may conduct jury trials during each month of the year. Judges assigned to Panel A shall impanel juries generally during the first two weeks of each month, and judges assigned to Panel B shall impanel juries generally during the last two weeks of each month. If the need arises for a judge to impanel a jury other than during the assigned month, the judge shall communicate such need to the presiding judge. The presiding judge shall then make a determination whether the judge's request to impanel a jury other than during the scheduled two-week period should be granted. Unless otherwise directed to do so by the presiding judge, the Clerk of the District Court shall provide no jurors to a judge other than during that assigned judge's scheduled two-week period.

   F. Inadequate Number of Jurors. When there is not a sufficient number of jurors immediately available, the Clerk of the District Court shall give priority to those courts trying criminal matters.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended effective June 25, 1999; amended September 21, 2022. 

   A. Case Progression Standards. Progress of all cases shall comply with the Case Progression Standards established by Neb. Ct. R. § 6-101. To facilitate compliance, a Proposed Scheduling Order (PSO) shall be submitted to the District Court Administrator in all non-criminal cases within four (4) months after the filing of the case. The PSO shall be submitted by agreement of the parties. However, if the parties cannot agree, any party to the pending action may submit a PSO and set the matter for hearing before the Court assigned to the case. If a PSO is not submitted within four (4) months, the District Court Administrator shall give notice by mail or email to each party that, within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice, the matter will be dismissed unless a PSO is submitted to the District Court Administrator.

   B. Case Progression Filing Procedures. The District Court Administrator shall provide the PSO forms in the Court Administrator's Office and at the District Court's website, www.dc4dc.com. In each domestic relations case, the parties shall be responsible to report to the Conciliation and Mediation Services Office for compliance with Rule 4-3, if applicable, or the case is subject to dismissal.

   C. Case Progression Dismissals. When a case has been dismissed pursuant to this rule, any party may request that the case be reinstated, but only upon filing a motion to reinstate the case and submission of a signed PSO to the Court assigned to the case. The Court assigned to the case may, in its discretion, reinstate the case.

   D. Judicial Review of Proposed Scheduling Order. After the submission of the PSO to the District Court Administrator and review of the PSO by the Court assigned to the case, the Court may approve the PSO as agreed upon by the parties, or, upon notice to the parties, may schedule the case for a pre-trial/scheduling conference. The PSO may subsequently be amended with approval of the Court. Nothing contained in this Rule shall preclude the Court assigned to the case from setting a scheduling conference at any time and entering a scheduling order thereafter.

   E. Special Settings. Upon request of either party, the Court assigned to the case shall determine whether the case shall be specially set for trial.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended effective June 25, 1999; amended effective January 18, 2007; amended effective September 9, 2010; amended June 1, 2017; amended September 21, 2022.

   A. Payment for Court-Appointed Attorney. Before the claim of any attorney appointed by the court is allowed, such attorney shall make a written motion for fees, positively verified, stating time and expenses in the case. Counsel shall also state in the motion that counsel has not received and has no contract for the payment of any compensation by the defendant or anyone in the defendant's behalf, or if counsel has received any fee or has a contract for the payment of same, to disclose the same fully so that the proper credit may be taken on counsel's motion.

   B. Payment for Court-Appointed Guardian Ad Litem. When a court-appointed guardian ad litem makes application for payment of fees, if the indigence of either party to the action is at issue such that the county may be ordered to pay the fees and costs, the guardian shall serve a copy of the fee application and notice of hearing upon the County Attorney. The County Attorney may appear at the hearing to represent the interests of the county or may file a written waiver of appearance.

   C. Amount of Awarded Fees. When the award of fees is expected to exceed $4,800, the judge to whom the case is assigned may, in the judge's discretion, request that the presiding judge, or, in the absence of the presiding judge, the acting presiding judge, appoint two additional judges who, together with the judge to whom the case is assigned, shall determine the fee by majority vote.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended September 21, 2022.

   A. Assignment of Cases. Cases shall be assigned to a judge by random selection through use of computerized or manual means.

   B. Case Consolidation. A motion for consolidation of cases for discovery purposes or trial shall be heard by the judge to whom the case with the lowest case number is assigned, and by whom the consolidated case will be heard.

   C. Felony Companion Cases. Companion cases are (1) those in which multiple defendants are charged, in separate informations, with crimes arising out of the same set of facts, (2) those in which separate informations are filed contemporaneously against a single defendant, or (3) those in which a defendant initially charged with a felony offense which is currently pending is subsequently charged with a criminal offense. The County Attorney shall, at the time of filing each information, note on the information the case title and case number of each companion case, as defined by this rule, and the Clerk of the District Court shall assign each such companion case to the judge to whom is assigned the case with the lowest case number.

   D. Criminal Appeal Companion Cases. On receiving notice of appeal from County Court, the prosecutor shall notify the Clerk of the District Court of the case title and case number of any previously filed appeal by a different defendant involving the same incident, and the appeal shall be assigned by the Clerk to the judge having the lowest case number of the previously filed appeal by the different defendant, but involving the same incident. When appeals are taken in separate cases consolidated for trial in the County Court, the Clerk of the District Court shall assign all to the same judge.

   E. Postjudgment Criminal Matters. Postjudgment criminal matters, including probation-revocation and Post Release Supervision (PRS) proceedings, applications for postconviction relief, annual reviews of convicted sex offenders, and annual reviews of individuals found not responsible by reason of insanity, shall be assigned to the judge by whom the case was tried, or to that judge's successor. For the purpose of probation-revocation proceedings, any new felony charge filed against a defendant whose probation is sought to be revoked shall be assigned to the judge by whom the probation-revocation proceeding will be heard. Any companion case to that new felony, as defined by Rule 4-12C, shall likewise be assigned to the judge by whom the probation-revocation proceeding will be heard. Any new felony charge filed against an individual who has completed probation or a term of incarceration shall be assigned to a judge randomly, pursuant to Rule 4-12A.

   F. Protection Orders. For the purpose of assignment of applications for a protection order, companion cases shall be those situations (1) in which one or multiple petitioners simultaneously apply for a protection order against the same person or persons, (2) in which the petitioner is a party to a currently pending action to obtain a protection order involving the same person or persons, or (3) in which the petitioner or respondent is a party to a domestic relations or paternity action which is currently pending before the court.

   If, upon receiving the petition for filing, the Clerk of the District Court determines that the case is a companion case under any one of the foregoing three criteria, the case or cases shall be assigned to the judge to whom the first such case is assigned, or to the judge who has pending before her or him a previously filed protection order, domestic relations, or paternity matter. All other cases shall be assigned to a judge by random selection through computerized or manual means.

   G. Civil Companion Cases. Companion cases are those involving (1) the same parties arising from the same action, (2) multiple plaintiffs arising from the same transaction, (3) multiple defendants arising from the same transaction, or (4) multiple plaintiffs versus the same defendant or multiple defendants arising from substantially identical transactions. The party shall, at filing, if known to the party, note companion case titles and case numbers, and the Clerk of the District Court shall assign all companion cases to the judge with the case that has the lowest case number.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended effective November 22, 1996; Rule 4-12(C) and (E) amended October 17, 2001; amended September 21, 2022.

[Reserved.]

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended September 21, 2022. 

   A. Public Records As Exhibits. In all cases where books, files, or records, or parts thereof belonging to or taken from the records of public offices are offered in evidence or are marked for identification to be offered at a pretrial conference, it shall be the duty of the party offering the same to furnish true copies of the same to the court reporter and the opposing counsel before the offer.

   B. Documentary Exhibits. All documentary evidence which is not impeaching or rebuttal in nature shall be presented to the court reporter prior to trial, marked for identification, and exhibited to the opposing party for inspection.

   C. Exhibits And Affidavits Submitted In Digital Format. Limits. Documentary exhibits and affidavits submitted to the Court or a court reporter in digital format shall be limited to an aggregate total of ten (10) pages or less. Documentary exhibits and affidavits submitted to the court or court reporter that exceed an aggregate total of ten (10) pages shall be submitted in hard copy. Exhibits and affidavits shall be submitted to the Court, and to any opposing parties, at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the hearing. The Court, in its discretion, may decline to receive into evidence any exhibit or accept any affidavit unless it has been submitted in compliance with this rule.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended effective March 24, 2021; amended September 21, 2022.

   Pretrial conferences will be on order of the court, consistent with Neb. Ct. R. § 6-1522, and shall specify the date, hour, location, requirement placed upon counsel, the manner in which the conference will be held, and any other matters the court deems appropriate. A party represented by counsel shall appear at such conference through the attorney who is to conduct the trial, or by trial counsel's co-counsel having full knowledge of the case and possessed of authority to bind the party by stipulation.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended September 21, 2022.

   A. Except under exceptional circumstances, and then only with the special permission of a District Judge for good cause shown, no person other than the judges or District Court personnel shall remove from the office or possession of the Clerk of the District Court any records, papers, or files, including transcripts and bills of exceptions, pertaining to the cases in the court.

   B. If a District Judge grants permission to remove from the Office of the Clerk of the District Court any records, papers, or files, the person to whom the permission is granted shall sign a written receipt for such materials. The receipt shall identify with particularity the materials being removed and shall include (1) the name, address, and telephone number of the person who is removing the materials and (2) the name, address, and telephone number of the person on whose behalf the materials are being removed.

   The records, papers, or files shall be returned to the Clerk of the District Court within three (3) working days of the date on which they are removed, including the day of removal, and in no event shall the materials be returned later than one (1) working day prior to any court proceeding in the case to which they relate. The failure to return any records, papers, or files in compliance with the provisions of this rule shall result in revocation of the removal privilege of the attorney, firm of attorneys, or abstracter on whose behalf the materials were removed. The privilege shall not be restored except as the presiding judge may direct. The presiding judge may impose such other penalties and sanctions as may be appropriate for violation of this rule.

   C. Any person may obtain photocopies of any public filings at such reasonable cost as the Clerk of the District Court shall determine.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; amended October 26, 2005; amended September 21, 2022.

   A. Authority. Pursuant to Neb. Ct. R. §§ 6-1525 and 6-1467, the judges of the District Court and County Court of Douglas County (the Courts) adopt this rule for furnishing conflict representation in the Courts for any person who is financially unable to obtain adequate representation in felony, misdemeanor, or post-conviction cases pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 29-3901 to 29-3908 and §§ 29-3001 to 29-3004 (Reissue 2016).

   B. Statement of Policy. The objective of this plan is to attain the ideal of equality before the law for all persons. This plan shall be administered so that those eligible for services pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 29-3901 to 29-3908 and §§ 29-3001 to 29-3004 (Reissue 2016) will not be deprived of any element of representation necessary to an adequate defense because they are financially unable to pay for adequate representation. The further objective of this plan is to particularize the requirements for court appointments in Douglas County, Nebraska.

   C. Appointment of Private Attorneys. The Douglas County Public Defender’s Office shall have first priority to be appointed for any indigent defendant in all criminal cases within the county. In those cases where the Douglas County Public Defender’s Office has a conflict and the case is one where the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy may be appointed, the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy will have priority for appointment. This rule establishes the process for the appointment of private attorneys to represent indigent defendants when the Public Defender’s staff and the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy are not available. A panel of private attorneys who are eligible and willing to be appointed to provide representation in Douglas County is hereby recognized. The Plan for the Composition, Administration, and Management of the Panel of Private Attorneys pursuant to Neb. Ct. R. §§ 6-1525 and 6-1467 is set forth below.

   D. Duties of Appointed Counsel. The services to be rendered on behalf of a person represented by appointed counsel shall be commensurate with those rendered if counsel were privately employed by the person. Attorneys appointed to the panel shall conform to the highest standards of professional conduct and shall refrain from conduct unbecoming a member of the bar.

   E. Creation of Panel. The District Court and County Court of Douglas County (the Courts) shall establish a panel of private attorneys (hereafter referred to as the "DC Panel"). All attorneys who are eligible and willing to be appointed to provide representation will be placed on the DC Panel.

   F. Composition of Panel.

   1. Attorneys who serve on the DC Panel must be members in good standing of the Nebraska bar and must have demonstrated experience in, and knowledge of, the Nebraska Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Nebraska Rules of Evidence. The Courts shall approve attorneys for membership on the DC Panel and the composition of the DC Panel after receiving recommendations from the Panel Selection Committee (the Committee) established pursuant to subsection 2 of this Plan.

   Members of the DC Panel shall serve indefinitely and continuously at the pleasure of the Courts.

   2. The Courts shall jointly establish a Panel Selection Committee (the Committee). The Committee shall consist of two District Court judges, two County Court judges, two private attorneys who are experienced in criminal defense work, and the Douglas County Public Defender. The Committee shall select its own chairperson.

   The Committee shall meet at least once each year, and at such other times as the Committee deems appropriate, to consider applications for addition to the DC Panel. The Committee shall review the qualifications of applicants and shall recommend, for approval by the Courts, the attorneys to be included on the DC Panel and, based upon the attorney's experience, skill, and competence, the category of cases which each attorney can handle. If an attorney disputes the category in which he or she has been placed for assignment of cases, the attorney may submit to the Committee a written explanation of the basis for such dispute. The Committee will then consider the dispute, will resolve the dispute by majority vote of its members, and will provide the attorney with a written disposition of the placement dispute.

   At its annual meeting, the Committee shall also review in its entirety the appointment list of attorneys on the DC Panel to determine if any attorney should be removed due to failure to remain in good standing with the Nebraska bar or for cause. If the attorney is being considered for removal from the DC Panel for cause, the Committee shall give written notification to the attorney indicating the concerns with the attorney's performance giving rise to consideration for removal, and the attorney shall be given the opportunity to respond in writing or in person before a final decision is made.

   At its annual meeting, the Committee shall also review the operation and administration of the DC Panel during the preceding year, and shall recommend to the Courts any changes regarding the appointment process and panel management which the Committee deems necessary or appropriate. If a majority of the judges of the Courts agree, then proposed language amending the Rule shall be submitted to the Supreme Court as provided by Neb. Ct. R. § 6-1501 entitled "Local Rules."

   G. Assignment of Cases. Cases shall be assigned to attorneys based on their experience, skill, and competence. Complex or more serious cases shall be assigned to attorneys with sufficient levels of experience and competence to provide adequate representation in such cases. Attorneys who have less experience, skill, and competence shall be assigned cases which are within their capabilities.

   H. Appointments and Maintenance of Appointment List. Appointments from the list of private attorneys on the DC Panel should be made on a rotational basis, subject to the appointing court's discretion to make exceptions due to the nature and complexity of the case, an attorney's experience or lack thereof, a language consideration, a conflict of interest, or any other factor which the appointing court may deem appropriate under the circumstances. This procedure should result in a balanced distribution of appointments and compensation among the members of the DC Panel, as well as quality representation for each defendant who is financially unable to otherwise obtain adequate representation.

   To be considered for appointment to the DC Panel, a private attorney shall complete the form entitled "Request to Be Added to Douglas County Court-Appointment List" and shall file it with the Douglas County District Court Administrator's Office. This form shall be available at the District Court Clerk's Office and the County Court Clerk's Office. Any private attorney on the DC Panel may request to be removed from the Panel at any time by sending a letter asking for removal to the District Court Administrator's Office, Hall of Justice, Room 500, 1701 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68183.

   The respective Court Administrators of District Court and County Court shall maintain a current list of all attorneys included on the DC Panel, including the attorneys' current office address and telephone numbers.

Rule 17 approved January 22, 2015, effective April 1, 2015; rule 4-17 amended November 13, 2019; amended September 21, 2022; rule 4-17(C) amended October 7, 2025.

   A. Outside Judge. A District Judge from outside this District shall not be called to hear a case without the approval of the presiding judge, and all requests for assistance from outside the District shall be channeled through the presiding judge.

   B. Senior Practice. A law student who is certified as eligible for senior practice in accordance with the rules of the Supreme Court of Nebraska may appear and participate in proceedings in District Court only in the actual presence of the supervising attorney, who shall in each proceeding introduce the student to the judge and request affirmative consent to the student’s participation.

   C. Official Newspaper. The Daily Record is the official court newspaper for the purpose of publishing court calls, default dismissals, cases reinstated for trial, and such matters including notices to attorneys, notices regarding jury panels, and all other matters left to the discretion of the court.

   D. Witness Fees. When a person is subpoenaed or appears voluntarily as a witness in any case, it shall be the duty of the party at whose instance the witness appeared to see that the attendance of such witness is properly registered with the Clerk of the District Court. In the absence of such being done, it shall not be incumbent upon the Clerk of the District Court to tax fees for such witnesses as costs in the case on trial; provided, however, that upon motion for retaxing costs the court may order such fees taxed as costs.

Adopted effective December 29, 1995; Rule 17 renumbered to Rule 18 and amendments to (C) approved January 22, 2015; amended September 21, 2022.

   A. This rule sets out the procedures governing emergency modified court operations in the District Court, County Court, and Separate Juvenile Court of the Fourth Judicial District (collectively “the Courts”).

   B. The presiding judge of the Fourth Judicial District Court shall be responsible for convening a standing committee for the Fourth Judicial District. This Emergency Modified Court Operations Committee shall be responsible for planning and implementing emergency modified court operations.

   C. The Emergency Modified Court Operations Committee shall include a District Judge, a County Judge, and a Separate Juvenile Court Judge (collectively the “Judicial Representatives”). The Committee shall also include representatives from the following stakeholders: District 4A and 4J Probation Office; Douglas County Attorney’s Office; Douglas County Public Defender’s Office; City of Omaha Legal Department; Douglas County Department of Corrections; Douglas County Youth Center; Clerk of the District Court; Douglas County Sheriff’s Office; Douglas County Health Department; and Omaha Douglas Public Building Commission. The Judicial Representatives shall be responsible for coordinating and facilitating communication among the members of the Emergency Modified Court Operations Committee.

   D. In circumstances significantly threatening the ability of the Courts to conduct routine court proceedings safely and efficiently, the Emergency Modified Court Operations Committee’s Judicial Representatives shall vote as to whether to implement emergency modified court operations. If a majority of the Judicial Representatives votes in favor of emergency modified operations, emergency modified court operations shall go into effect. The Judicial Representatives, in coordination with the Nebraska Supreme Court, shall enter appropriate administrative orders detailing the emergency modified operations. Any administrative order implementing emergency modified court procedures shall identify the date by which the order shall expire if not previously vacated, extended, or amended.

   E. The following mission essential functions shall be addressed in any administrative order implementing emergency modified court procedures:

   1. County Court: The operation of the courtroom at Douglas County Corrections and the transport of prisoners to and therefrom. Also, hearings as to any of the following: protection orders, evictions, emergency guardianship or conservatorship proceedings, change of pleas, bond settings, arraignments, and preliminary hearings.

   2. Separate Juvenile Court: Hearings as to any of the following: adoptions, contested protective custody proceedings, contested adjudications or terminations of parental rights, contested motions to revoke probation, contested motions to commit to the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, and contested ex parte motions.

   3. District Court: Hearings as to any of the following: bond reviews, change of pleas, sentencings, protection orders, motions for ex parte orders or temporary allowances, and motions for temporary restraining orders and temporary injunctions.

   F. The Committee will notify the Nebraska Supreme Court Administrative Services Division and the Omaha Police Department of the emergency modified court operations status. The Committee shall also notify the public of the emergency modified court operations status by:

   1. Preparing and issuing a press release to local media outlets regarding emergency operations;

   2. Placing notices on websites and social media accounts controlled by members of the Committee; and

   3. Posting notices at the entrances to the Douglas County Courthouse.

Approved March 16, 2022.

   A. Summary Dismissal. When the District Court is hearing an appeal from the Douglas County Court and determines that it lacks jurisdiction over the appeal, the appeal will be dismissed in the following manner: “APPEAL DISMISSED. See Dist. Ct. Local Rule 4-20.”

   B. Summary Affirmance. When the District Court is hearing an appeal from the Douglas County Court and determines on its own motion that (1) it is confined to plain error review because of appellant’s failure to file a required statement of errors, (2) a detailed opinion would have no significant value upon further review, and (3) one of the following conditions is met:

   a. the judgment is based on findings of fact which are not clearly erroneous;

   b. the evidence in support of a jury verdict is not insufficient;

   c. the judgment or order is supported by substantial evidence in the record as a whole; or

   d. no error of law appears;

the Court may at its discretion decline to hold a hearing on appeal and affirm the judgment in the following manner: “AFFIRMED. See Dist Ct. Local Rule 4-20.”

Rule 4-20 approved September 21, 2022.