National Adoption Day
Programs in Hastings, Grand Island, Lincoln, Omaha
Successful adoption day celebrations were held in four judicial districts in November, 2008.  Lincoln sponsored a record 58 adoptions, Omaha held 45 adoptions, and Hastings held 10 Saturday morning hearings.  Grand Island hosted a party for the nearly 40 adoptions in 2008 with a special hearing held in Aurora on Saturday morning.

Next month the Administrative Memorandum will include a “Judicial News” Special Edition on Adoption Day.

Planning Underway for Legislative-Judicial Visits with New State Senators
The Legislative-Judicial Visit program is set to launch the 2008 agenda with the following judge-senator pairings:

Hon. Terri S. Harder – Dennis Utter, District 33

Hon. John P. Icenogle – Galen Hadley, District 37

Hon. Max Kelch – Scott Price, District 3

Hon. Douglas L. Luebe – Robert Giese, District 17

Hon. Teresa K. Luther – Mike Gloor, District 35

Hon. Jodi Nelson – Ken Haar, District 21; Kathy Campbell, District 25; Colby Coash, District 27

Hon. Thomas A. Otepka –  Heath Mello, District 5; Jeremy Nordquist, District 7; Brenda Council; District 11; Tanya Cook, District 13; Beau McCoy, District 39

Hon. Mike Owens – Kate Sullivan, District 41

Hon. Edward Steenburg – Ken Schilz, District 47

Hon. Kenneth Vampola – Charlie Janssen, District 15

The program is geared toward new senators elected in the November election. The purpose of the program is to give new legislative members an experiential understanding of the volume, complexity, variety and difficulty of work of the trial courts. Each of the new senators will be invited to spend a morning with a host judge which generally includes a briefing in chambers, a morning observing court proceedings and lunch with criminal justice representatives from the area.

Thanks to all judges and court staff who participate in this valuable outreach program.

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Information Gathered Through the Press Clipping Service

Governor Signs Safe Haven Law
At 1:30 p.m. on November 21, 2008, Governor Dave Heineman signed LB 1 into law. The bill amends Nebraska’s “safe haven” law to apply to babies of up to 30 days old instead of children up to 18 years old.

Safe haven laws are intended to provide young mothers with a safe way to surrender a newborn for whom they feel unable to care. Parents of babies left at a Nebraska hospital are exempt from prosecution for child abandonment.

The new age limit took effect November 22, 2008.

The Department of Health and Human Services hosts a Web page dedicated to Nebraska’s Safe Haven issues.  View information at: www.dhhs.ne.gov/safehaven.

Contact Janet Bancroft, Public Information Officer, 402-471-3205, janet.bancroft@nebraska.gov.

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County Judge for Eighth Judicial District Appointed
On November 7, 2008, Governor Dave Heineman announced his appointment of James Orr of Broken Bow to serve as county court judge for the Eighth Judicial District consisting of Blaine, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Custer, Holt, Howard, Garfield, Greely, Keya Paha, Loup, Rock, Sheridan, Valley and Wheeler Counties.

Read the Governor’s press release: http://www.governor.nebraska.gov/news/2008/2008_11/7_Orr_district_judge.html

New Supervisory Probation Personnel
Linda Buehler, Chief Probation Officer, new Probation District #12, Gering, effective October 27, 2008.
Tara Sprigler-Price, Chief Probation Officer, new Probation District #8, O’Neill, effective November 1, 2008.
Clay Schutz, Chief Probation Officer, new Probation District #9, Grand Island, effective November 1, 2008.

New Administrative Office of the Courts/Probation Personnel
Alicia Guerra, Administrative Assistant, Judicial Branch Education, effective August 25, 2008.
Beni Cooper, Administrative Assistant, Probation Administration, Lincoln, effective October 20, 2008.
Cindy Hooper, Administrative Secretary, Court Interpreter Program, effective October 27, 2008.
Katie Welsh, Parenting Act Administrative Assistant, Office of Dispute Resolution, Lincoln, effective November 17, 2008.

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Minority Justice Committee
On November 19, 2008, the Supreme Court reappointed the following individuals to the Minority Justice Committee, terms to expire December 31, 2011: Justice John Gerrard (Co-Chair), Linda Crump (Co-Chair), Judy Beutler, Riko Bishop, Judge Vernon C. Daniels, Judge John Irwin, Dennis R. Keefe, Catherine M. Mahern, Becky Gould, David R. Stickman, Mark J. Young, Ellen Brokofsky and Janice Walker.  The Court also appointed Shawntal Smith to replace Judge Marlon Polk on the Minority Justice Committee, term to expire December 31, 2011, and appointed Susan Sapp to serve as an additional member of the Minority Justice Committee, term to expire December 31, 2011. 

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Supreme Court Rule Amendments
On October 29, 2008, the Supreme Court approved amendments to Neb. Ct. R. App. P., appendixes 5 and 6: SAMPLE CERTIFICATES. Click here to view the rule: www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/amendments/AppendicesAmd.pdf

On November 13, 2008, the Supreme Court approved an amendment to the Rules of the District Court of the Third Judicial District, rule 3-15(D) COURTROOM MEDIA COVERAGE PILOT PROJECT. Click here to view the rule: www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/amendments/3dDistNovAmd.pdf.

On November 19, 2008, the Supreme Court approved amendments to Neb. Ct. R. App. P. §§ 2-109(D) and 2-111(B)(1): § 2-109. Briefs. Click here to view the rule: www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/amendments/2-109-111Amds.pdf.

These changes are also incorporated into the full set of rules listed below the rule amendments section on the web page.  All rule changes/additions are available at: www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/index.shtml

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Office of Dispute Resolution
New Policy for Parenting Act Mediators
The State Court Administrator adopted the Policy for Approval of Parenting Act Mediators on October 31, 2008.  A copy of the policy and more information on Parenting Act mediators are available on the Supreme Court Web site at www.supremecourt.ne.gov/mediation/become-a-mediator.shtml.

The Policy reflects the statutory language in the Parenting Act that all individuals who wish to be eligible for appointment by a court to mediate a parenting plan must be approved by ODR (Office of Dispute Resolution).

ODR is working with Nebraska.gov to provide a Web-based application process for Parenting Act mediators.  This will be launched in early 2009.  A statewide list of approved Parenting Act mediators will be made available to all courts and the public in early 2009.

In the interim, the Parenting Act mediator training and apprentice requirements and the newly adopted Nebraska Standards and Ethics for Family Mediators apply to individuals serving in that capacity.  Mediators affiliated with ODR-approved mediation centers, Douglas County Rule 4.3 mediators and private mediators are all covered by this statute and policies.

Spanish-version of Parenting Act Information Brochure
A Spanish version of the Parenting Act Information Brochure has been available since August.  To place an order, please go online and submit your order using the Supreme Court Web site’s order process at www.nebraska.gov/courts/ordering/order.cgi.

Contact Debora Brownyard, Director, Office of Dispute Resolution, 402-471-2766, debora.brownyard@nebraska.gov

or

Katie Welsh, Parenting Act Administrative Assistant, 402-471-2911, katie.welsh@nebraska.gov.

Judicial Branch Education
New Employee Orientation
Judicial Branch Education (JBE) is holding a new employee orientation December 9, 2008, in Lincoln.  Anyone hired after January, 2007, who has not attended new employee orientation should attend.  Others with general interest in the programming may also attend. 

If you are in need of education CEUs (credits) for 2008 and if attending a portion of the programming will assist you in performing your job, you may attend with supervisory approval.   This is the third day-long orientation for court staff that JBE has offered this year.  It is the goal of the education committee that staff has an orientation within six months of starting their job.

New Judge Orientation
JBE has been working on a revamped new judge orientation program in conjunction with the orientation committees of the benches.  December 19, 2008, will be the first “stand alone” orientation of both new county and district judges.  For the first time, JBE is offering a session for county and district judges together covering subject matter that was common to both benches.  Judge Otte from the 3rd District and Judge Orr from the 8th District will attend a one-day session together.  Thanks to Judge Sievers, Judge Lamberty, Judge Brodbeck, Judge Hutton, Judge Colborn, Judge Gossett, former Chief Justice John Hendry and Kari Rumbaugh for organizing and presenting information. 

National Judicial College Grant Recipient
JBE was successful in obtaining a grant from the National Judicial College for technical assistance in case management that stemmed from JBE’s effort to recruit a judge to teach case management at new employee orientation. The grant will allow exposure to current trends in case management and provide for educationfor trial court judges.

Contact Carole McMahon-Boies, Director, JBE, 402-471-3072, carole.mcmahon-boies@nebraska.gov.

Probation
WEC Update: Beginning in January, 2009, Technical Skill Building
The Work Ethic Camp has partnered with Valmont Industries, Phoenix Transitional Services, Mid-Plains Community College and Workforce Development to offer technical skill training and job experience. Selected offenders will earn credited classes in welding, as well as a paid internship with Valmont.  Upon completion of WEC, successful offenders will then be eligible for employment placement at the McCook or Valley, Nebraska, Valmont Plants, should they desire. All of this will occur without compromising the offender’s participation in substance abuse treatment and other programming. This unique opportunity will be an earned activity based on offender progress during the program. More details will be provided in the near future.

Contact Deb Minardi, Deputy Administrator, Community Corrections Programs, 402-471-3525, deb.minardi@nebraska.gov.

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Judicial Branch Education Meetings/Trainings
For a complete listing of Judicial Branch Education offerings, click here.

Contact Carole McMahon-Boies, Director, JBE, 402-471-3072, carole.mcmahon-boies@nebraska.gov.

Probation Education Meetings/Trainings
For a complete listing of Judicial Branch Education offerings, click here.

Contact Monica Miles-Steffens, Probation Education Manager, 402-471-4486, monica.miles-steffens@nebraska.gov.

Upcoming 2008 State Holidays
December 25, Christmas Day

2009 State Holidays
January 1, New Year's Day
January 19, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 16, President's Day
April 24, Arbor Day
May 25, Memorial Day
July 3, Independence Day
September 7, Labor Day
October 12, Columbus Day
November 11, Veteran's Day
November 26 – 27, Thanksgiving Day & Friday following
December 25, Christmas Day

Filing and Reporting Requirements
•Statement for Payment of Interpreters: Interpreters to submit this between the 1st and 7th day of each month.
• Judges’ Cases Under Advisement Reports: Due by the 5th day of each month (reports are compiled and submitted to the Supreme Court).
• Court Reporter Timesheets: Due by the 5th day of each month (judges are to sign time sheets prior to submission).
• Permanently Assigned Vehicle Logs: Due by the 5th day of each month.
• Report of Probate Cases Pending: Due by the 10th day of each month.
• County Court Time Sheets: Due by the 10th day of each month.
• Stenographer Transcription Reports: Due by the 10th day of each month.
• Expense Vouchers: Submit on a monthly basis (rather than combining several months of expenses on one voucher).

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Publication Ordering Available Online
Court staff may now order publications from the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation online at www.nebraska.gov/courts/ordering/order.cgi. The AOC’s most frequently ordered publications are available through the online order form. The selection includes jury brochures, small claims guides, parenting act booklets, the Citizen's Guide to Nebraska's Courts, judge’s adoption cards, and AOC court staff timecards.

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