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Mar 09
2009
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Nebraska CourtsPosted by admin in Nebraska Courts   |
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The Nebraska courts system is a multi-tiered system involving both general and specific focus courts. The state has an historical interest in maintaining law and order and meting out justice as it is warranted. The courts have evolved over time and are committed to addressing the ever-changing legal issues in our society.
There are several courts that Nebraska residents may find themselves involved with. They are courts of public record and the results of their proceedings are open to the public with the exception of particularly sensitive issues or matters involving juveniles. The Supreme Court is the most powerful court in the state. The court’s responsibilities include being the state’s highest appeals court, the administrative leadership for Nebraska’s court system at all levels, regulating the practice of law through the State Bar Association and attorney disciplinary measures, and hearing appellate cases that involve constitutional issues, the death penalty, or the sentence of life in prison.
The Court of Appeals is the next most powerful court in the state. It was created in 1991 to stand as a buffer between appeals originating in the lower courts and the state Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals hears all appeals except those involving constitutional issues, the death penalty and sentences which involve life imprisonment, which all rise immediately to the Supreme Court. If a Court of Appeals decision is appealed, it lands in the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction for final adjudication.
Nebraska’s District Courts have a widely varied jurisdiction over several kinds of cases. These are the Nebraska courts that hear felony criminal cases and lesser included offenses as well as civil cases with claims of $51,000 or more. District Courts also hear certain domestic relations cases.
The County Courts handle the lesser criminal and civil cases within their respective counties such as misdemeanor criminal offenses, probate, juvenile, domestic relations and civil cases involving claims of less than $51,000. County Courts in Nebraska have jurisdiction over all juvenile matters if no Juvenile Court exists in the county.
The Nebraska courts system includes three separate Juvenile Courts. These courts handle everything concerning juveniles including civil and criminal violations, custody and support. The goal of the Juvenile Courts is the protection and rehabilitation of children over mere punishment for criminal behavior.
The Workers’ Compensation Court has jurisdiction specifically over legal issues involving accidents and illnesses relating to the workplace and employment. The Workers’ Compensation Court judges travel throughout the state.
Nebraska courts are constantly evolving. New and improved methods of handling legal cases are always being considered and carefully weighed. Currently under consideration are divisions to already existing courts that will deal with specific problems within the Nebraska courts system. These divisions, when fully implemented, will focus on specific issues involving certain kinds of criminal cases and in the case of juveniles, substance abuse.
Most of the state’s court districts now have what are referred to as Problem-Solving Courts. These include Adult Drug Courts,Young Adult Drug Courts, Juvenile Drug Courts, and Family Drug Courts.
There are several courts that Nebraska residents may find themselves involved with. They are courts of public record and the results of their proceedings are open to the public with the exception of particularly sensitive issues or matters involving juveniles. The Supreme Court is the most powerful court in the state. The court’s responsibilities include being the state’s highest appeals court, the administrative leadership for Nebraska’s court system at all levels, regulating the practice of law through the State Bar Association and attorney disciplinary measures, and hearing appellate cases that involve constitutional issues, the death penalty, or the sentence of life in prison.
The Court of Appeals is the next most powerful court in the state. It was created in 1991 to stand as a buffer between appeals originating in the lower courts and the state Supreme Court. The Court of Appeals hears all appeals except those involving constitutional issues, the death penalty and sentences which involve life imprisonment, which all rise immediately to the Supreme Court. If a Court of Appeals decision is appealed, it lands in the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction for final adjudication.
Nebraska’s District Courts have a widely varied jurisdiction over several kinds of cases. These are the Nebraska courts that hear felony criminal cases and lesser included offenses as well as civil cases with claims of $51,000 or more. District Courts also hear certain domestic relations cases.
The County Courts handle the lesser criminal and civil cases within their respective counties such as misdemeanor criminal offenses, probate, juvenile, domestic relations and civil cases involving claims of less than $51,000. County Courts in Nebraska have jurisdiction over all juvenile matters if no Juvenile Court exists in the county.
The Nebraska courts system includes three separate Juvenile Courts. These courts handle everything concerning juveniles including civil and criminal violations, custody and support. The goal of the Juvenile Courts is the protection and rehabilitation of children over mere punishment for criminal behavior.
The Workers’ Compensation Court has jurisdiction specifically over legal issues involving accidents and illnesses relating to the workplace and employment. The Workers’ Compensation Court judges travel throughout the state.
Nebraska courts are constantly evolving. New and improved methods of handling legal cases are always being considered and carefully weighed. Currently under consideration are divisions to already existing courts that will deal with specific problems within the Nebraska courts system. These divisions, when fully implemented, will focus on specific issues involving certain kinds of criminal cases and in the case of juveniles, substance abuse.
Most of the state’s court districts now have what are referred to as Problem-Solving Courts. These include Adult Drug Courts,Young Adult Drug Courts, Juvenile Drug Courts, and Family Drug Courts.
