The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board met recently and lowered their revenue projections by $126 million for FY 2007-08 and FY 2008-09. Governor Heineman has reacted to this information by instructing his agency directors to scrutinize all spending decisions and exercise the greatest economy and restraint possible. Travel has been restricted in the executive branch and agencies are encouraged not to fill positions unless absolutely necessary and to make equipment purchases only if necessary for the delivery of state services.

The state's economic challenges have implications for the judicial branch as well. We have a very lean budget as you have been told many times. There is no room for expansion of court programs, no funding for additional staff and no opportunity for spending that is not absolutely necessary for the operation of the courts. We are not, at this time, introducing further restrictions but will continue to scrutinize spending very carefully. We ask for your patience and understanding of our fiscal situation.

Contact Janice Walker, State Court Administrator, 402-471-3730, jwalker@nsc.state.ne.us.

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March is Mediation Month
Each year Nebraska promotes March as "Mediation Month." As in the past, the Governor will hold a public proclamation ceremony, which is used as the primary vehicle to showcase mediation efforts throughout the state. This year the ceremony will be held Thursday, March 13, 2008, in the Werner Chamber of the State Capitol. The public is welcome to attend.

Contact Debora Brownyard, Director, Office of Dispute Resolution, 402-471-2766, dbrownyard@nsc.state.ne.us.

Legislation to Watch
With only seven weeks left in the 2008 session, the Legislature is moving ahead on a number of the bills that the AOC has been tracking. Below you will find an update on bills that are advancing, or have received particular interest from judges, court staff or the Administrative Office:

PASSED:

LB 621 sets the fine for speeding over 35 miles per hour over the limit at $300 and takes 4 points off the offender’s license for conviction of this offense. This bill was signed into law by the governor on February 14, 2008. It will go into effect 90 days after the legislative session ends.

PENDING LEGISLATION:

LB 253, the Motorcycle Safety and Training Act increases the fine for a motorcycle license violation and is the priority bill for Senator Rogert. LB 253 was placed on General File February 28, 2007.

LB 624 changes the penalty provisions for flight to avoid arrest and is Senator Pirsch’s priority bill. It was placed on Final Reading February 21, 2008.

LB 774 releases DHHS or the county attorney from having to file an application to modify child support if a person is incarcerated for a year or more for an offense other than criminal non-support. It advanced to General File on February 5, 2008.

LB 775 would allow deputy clerks of district courts to live outside the counties they serve and allows deputies for clerks of county courts, on General File.

LB 1014 which contained recommendations from the NSBA's Judicial Structure and Administration Task Force was amended to include a number of other bills. This bill is the judiciary committee’s priority bill and was placed on general file February 22. In its current form, this bill includes the following:

1) The original LB 1014 would allow the Supreme Court to determine in what district a judicial vacancy should be filled. It makes other changes intended to allow the courts more flexibility in managing caseloads.

2) Changes provisions of the Parenting Act (Formerly LB 1085).

3) Contains a number of provisions relating to children in foster care (Formerly LB 1159).

4) Allows a defendant 30 days after arraignment to request transfer to juvenile court. It also requires county attorney and court to consider any prior firearms-related convictions and any previous juvenile court order declaring juvenile not amenable to rehabilitative treatment when deciding whether a case should be in juvenile court (Formerly LB 1160).

5) Includes problem-solving court programs in drug court statutes. The bill would also provide separate funds for operation of each drug and problem solving court (Formerly LB 1107).

6) Require clerk magistrates to comply with JBE requirements (Formerly LB 933).

7) Changes provisions for service of documents in a civil action (Formerly LB 935)

8) Allows a court to refer a civil case to mediation. (Formerly LB 606.)

9) Permits jurors to take and use notes during a trial. (Formerly LB 804.)

LB 1055 prohibits dogs from running at large, outlines penalties for violation and prohibits transportation of a dangerous dog to another county. This is Senator McDonald’s priority bill and it was placed on General File February 19, 2008.

LB 1063 changes the death penalty to life imprisonment without parole and provides restitution to victims. This bill is Senator Chambers’s priority and advanced to the general file on February 1, 2008.

HEARINGS HELD:

LB 772 which would make the state responsible for security in courtrooms had a hearing before the Judiciary Committee on January 23, 2008.

LB 843 creates specific sentences for minors 16 or older who are convicted of felonies. This is Senator Pederson’s priority bill.

LB 844 would make possession of one ounce or less of marijuana a Class II Misdemeanor and requires a drug education course upon conviction if determined to be in the defendant’s best interest. This bill was heard by the Judiciary Committee on January 24, 2008, and is Senator Karpisek's priority bill.

LB 1025 would require the court to notify the defendant upon conviction for domestic assault or issuance of a protection order that it may affect his/her ability to legally carry a firearm. It also requires scheduling of an evidentiary hearing if an ex parte protection order is issued. This legislation would bring Nebraska into compliance with federal regulations.

LB 1130 combines adult probation and parole supervision services under one administrative organization, the Office of Adult Probation and Parole Administration, within the Department of Correctional Services as of July 1, 2009. Presentence investigations, problem solving court operations and all of juvenile probation would remain with the Supreme Court under the new Office of Court Services. A hearing was held before the Judiciary Committee on February 14. This is Senator Synowiecki’s Priority Bill.

The AOC continues to monitor these bills and other legislation of interest. Updates are provided in Administrative Memos.

Contact Sheryl Connolly, Trial Court Services Director, 402-471-2671, sconnolly@nsc.state.ne.us.

Parenting Act Provisions Currently In Effect
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2920, et seq. (Cum. Supp. 2007)
Judges and court staff may be aware that LB1085 (2008) was introduced into the 2008 Legislature to amend last year's new Parenting Act. This bill has been amended into LB 1014 (see previous legislative update). The bill will make changes that will impact courts such as filings of the child information affidavit and certain evidentiary provisions, as well as a removal of the mandatory requirement for judicial education.

However, what will NOT change are the following new mandates under the Parenting Act.

Judges and court staff should be aware that as of January 1, 2008, the following is required for any Chapter 42 proceeding in which parenting functions (custody, visitation, parenting time, access to the child) are at issue:

• Parenting Plan - required in all cases. "...a parenting plan shall be developed [by the parties, their attorneys, or through voluntary mediation] and shall be approved by the court. . . and shall serve the best interests of the child and shall include provisions" comporting with Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 43-2929. Courts should require attorneys or the parties to submit a separate parenting plan document as part of the final decree.
  
  a. If a parenting plan is not submitted to the court prior to the hearing or trial, "the court shall create the parenting plan in accordance with the Parenting Act." Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-292(1). A sample sole custody model parenting plan is located on the Judicial Branch Web site at www.supremecourt.ne.gov/forms/district/DC-6-5-6.pdf
  
  b. If the parties or their counsel has not submitted a parenting plan to the court by a date certain (under a court rule to be developed by local trial courts), "parties . . . shall be ordered to participate in mediation or specialized alternative dispute resolution at a court conciliation program or an approved mediation center." Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2937(3). Several courts are creating local court rules or progression orders implementing this part of the Act.
  
  
• Parent Education - required for all parents. "The court shall order all parties to a proceeding under the Parenting Act to attend a basic level parenting education course." Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2928(1). State Court Administrator approval of parenting education providers is required. A list of approved providers is found on the Judicial Branch Web site at www.supremecourt.ne.gov/mediation/parenting-act.shtml
  
  
• Parent Information Brochure - required dissemination to each party. ". . . subsequent to the filing of such (Chapter 42) proceeding all parties shall receive from the clerk of the court information . . ." Copies of these booklets have been mailed to District Court Clerks, and re-ordering procedures have been provided as well. An electronic copy of this brochure is also available on the Judicial Branch Web site at www.supremecourt.ne.gov/mediation/parenting-act.shtml
  
  
• Mediation. Voluntary mediation of parenting plans is encouraged under the Act. Lists of mediation centers are located on the Judicial Branch Web site at www.supremecourt.ne.gov/mediation/parenting-act.shtml, as well as the Douglas County Mediation and Conciliation Office. Parties may be "ordered to particpate in mediation or specialized alternative dispute resolution" under local court rule if parenting plans have not been submitted within the time specified by the court. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2937(3).
  
  Contact Debora Brownyard, Director, Office of Dispute Resolution, 402-471-2766, dbrownyard@nsc.state.ne.us.

Annual Caseload Reports
The 2007 Annual Caseload Reports for all Nebraska courts have been uploaded to the Judicial Branch Web site in the “For the Court Community” section under Publications & Reports. For a direct link to the reports click here.

Contact Eileen Janssen, Assistant for Finance and Statistics, 402-471-4427, ejanssen@nsc.state.ne.us.

County Court Caseload Per Full-Time Employee Report
The 2007 County Court Caseload Per Full-Time Employee Report has been uploaded to the Judicial Branch Web site in the “For the Court Community” section under Publications & Reports. For a direct link to the report click here.

Contact Kathy Moore, 402-471-4428, kmoore@ nsc.state.ne.us.

Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative
The dates for the 2008 Regional Conferences have been set. All separate juvenile court judges and Initiative team members are invited to attend. Click here for dates and locations of the conferences. Register online at www.throughtheeyes.org.

Contact Kelli Hauptman, Staff Attorney, Center on Children, Families and the Law, 402-472-3927, khauptman2@unlnotes.unl.edu.

2008 Judicial Evaluation Poll
The Nebraska State Bar Association recently sent judges a courtesy copy of the 2008 Judicial Evaluation Poll. The copy, mailed by the NSBA, is not the official evaluation and judges will not receive the final version when it is mailed to lawyers on April 2, 2008. Judges who have less than one year of service will not appear on the poll unless they choose to do so. The results of the Bar Poll will be released to the judges on July 11, 2008, and to the media on July 15, 2008.

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Information Gathered Through the Press Clipping Service

Courthouse Expansion
A preliminary drawing for a new judicial wing of the Boone County Courthouse (5th Judicial District) was approved by the Board of Commissioners.  The plan is subject to Supreme Court approval, future budget authority, code and other refinements.

Albion News, January 9, 2008

Nieto Joins Administrative Office, Moves to Omaha
Sue Nieto, Clerk of the Adams County District Court is leaving the position to move to Omaha. She has accepted a position as Business Analyst with the Supreme Court JUSTICE team.

Hastings Tribune, January 9, 2008

Clerk Magistrate Streeter Speaks to Community
Darrie Streeter gave a presentation to the Holdrege Rotary Club with an overview of the job of Clerk Magistrate.  She explained the responsibility of limited judicial powers, along with the many other job duties of a clerk magistrate.  The article outlined improvements and concerns within the system.

Holdrege Citizen, January 11, 2008

Profiles of Cindi Waltz and Brenda Cochran - 11th Judicial District
“If you happen to be in the Hooker County Courthouse on the second Tuesday of each month you will see two ladies who serve in the official offices as Clerk Magistrate and Deputy Clerk of the county court system,” according to an article that profiles both Waltz and Cochran. “We are fortunate to have them as part of our county court system.  They live in the area they serve and understand the problems and cases that come before the courts in our area, as opposed to having someone from a large city trying to understand a way of life and problems that are unique to this area”. . .

Hooker County Tribune, January 17, 2008

Dodge County Supervisors are “Hiring Out for Security”
After putting courthouse security in the hands of the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office last year, supervisors voted to look at hiring a private security firm to staff a standing metal detector system in the main lobby of the Dodge County Courthouse.  In August, 2005, supervisors approved a plan to buy a metal detector system, which was delivered in boxes.  Today, the metal detector system sits unused, surrounded by yellow security tape.

Fremont Tribune, January 17, 2008

Forms Translation
Some court documents will be made available in Spanish, Vietnamese and Arabic in an effort to remover barriers to the state’s legal system.  Among the documents are forms for simple divorce, for child support and for name changes.

USA Today, January 22, 2008 (and several Nebraska papers)

Dodge County Caseloads Up
Both Dodge County District and County courts have the highest caseloads in the 6th Judicial District.  “We’re getting a lot more civil cases and I think it has to do with people not being able to pay their bills,” said Clerk Magistrate Marilyn Clapper.

Fremont Tribune, January 31, 2008

Courtroom Technology Applauded
“Technological gains continue improving the way Nebraskans interact with their court system, and the trend shows no sign of stopping,” was one of the most intriguing messages of the Chief Justice’s State of the Judiciary address according to an Omaha World Herald editorial.  Still, brick and mortar courthouses are hopping.  Last year [according to the speech] people filed nearly half a million cases in Nebraska courts.  Only about 160,000 of those involved the traffic tickets people incorrectly assume stack such caseload numbers.  The editorial closes by saying, “The judiciary is a vital branch of government that touches thousands of Nebraskan’s lives—a branch that more citizens would do well to understand and appreciate.”

Omaha World-Herald, January 29, 2008

Judge McQuade Featured as People’s Court Judge
In an article complete with courtroom sketches, an Omaha World Herald reporter set about to explore the daily routine of small claims court.  The individual case stories were interesting and the article gave bits of information regarding the workings and purpose of small claims.  The story ends with a note that only one person was dissatisfied that day.  “Dissatisfaction is OK,  McQuade figures – someone wins, someone loses.  As long as there are no fireworks.”

Omaha World-Herald, January 29, 2008

Profile of Chief Judge Inbody
The Wahoo paper managed successfully to personalize the workings of the Court of Appeals through a profile of Judge Rett Inbody.  The article briefly outlines the structure of the court system and details of case processing through the Court of Appeals.  Personal information about the judge is sprinkled throughout the story.

Wahoo Newspaper, January 31, 2008 

Contact Janet Bancroft, Public Information Officer, 402-471-3205, jbancroft@nsc.state.ne.us.

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2008 County Court Presiding Judges
The following county judges have been appointed as presiding judges for 2008.

District 1, Steven B. Timm
District 2, Jeffrey J. Funke
District 7, Ross A. Stoffer
District 8, Gary G. Washburn
District 9, David A. Bush

New Probation Personnel
Kenneth Townsend, Probation Officer, District #9, Lexington, effective February 1, 2008.
Wendy Barrera-Andazola, Juvenile Drug Court Coordinator, District #20, Lincoln, effective February 21, 2008.
Judith Weston, AmeriCorps Program Specialist, District 7, Hastings, effective March 3, 2008.

New District Court Personnel
Chrystine Setlik, Clerk of the District Court, Adams County, effective March 3, 2008.

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Judicial Resources Commission
Vacancy Declared in 3rd Judicial District, District Court
During the February 12, 2008, meeting of the Nebraska Judicial Resources Commission, a vacancy was found to exist in the district court of the 3rd judicial district due to the retirement of Judge Earl Witthoff. The position will remain in Lancaster County. Click here to read the minutes of the meeting.

Judicial Nominating Commission
March 18 Application Deadline Set for District Court Judge Vacancy, 3rd Judicial District
According to Supreme Court Justice William M. Connolly, the Judicial Nominating Commission for District Judge in the 3rd Judicial District (consisting of Lancaster County) will hold a public hearing in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska, beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2008. At the hearing, the Commission will receive information on the qualifications of candidates to fill the vacancy in the office of District Judge due to the retirement of Judge Earl J. Witthoff effective March 3, 2008.

A listing of the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission can be found on the Nebraska Judicial Branch Web site at www.supremecourt.ne.gov/commissions/jnc-dc3-roster.shtml.

Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Drug Courts
The Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Drug Courts’ membership was expanded during a February consultation of the Court. New members include: Hon. James Doyle (appointed to chair the committee), Deb Minardi-Carey, Probation Administration; Reginald Young, Young & Young Attorneys at Law, Omaha; Sheriff Jerry Watson, Hall County Sheriff’s Department; Creston Ashburn, Sarpy County Adult Drug Court; and Webb Bancroft, President-elect of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association.

Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Pro Se Litigation
At its February 27, 2008, consultation, the Court appointed Robert Sanford to replace Tara Muir and Janet Bancroft to replace Milo Mumgaard as members of the Committee on Pro Se Litigation.

Committee to Review County Court Job Descriptions
The Administrative Office of the Courts has formed a committee to review the current county court job descriptions. The county court job descriptions have not been reviewed since 2001. Since then the county courts have had several significant changes including implementing JUSTICE, DOCKET and digital recorders. The goal of the committee is to create a classification plan that accurately and fairly reflects the duties of job positions in the county courts. Committee members include Clerk Magistrates Dianne Lana, Scotts Bluff County Court; Garlyn Beeman, Butler County Court; Chris Gilpin, Franklin County Court; Lori Bohn, Madison County Court; Judicial Administrator Leslie Douglas, Douglas County Court; Sheryl Connolly, Trial Court Services Director, State Court Administrator’s Office; and Judy Beutler, Deputy Court Administrator, State Court Administrator’s Office. The committee had its first meeting on February 13, 2008, and plans to complete its work by June 1, 2008.

Judicial Ethics Committee
The Judicial Ethics Committee issued an opinion February 8, 2008, regarding caucus participation by a judge. To view and print the opinion in its entirety, click here.

New Supreme Court Evidence-Based Practices (EBP)Committee
The Nebraska Supreme Court has formed the Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) Committee for the purpose of ensuring that the Office of Probation Administration’s implementation of evidence-based practices successfully and comprehensively addresses the needs of courts in Nebraska. Members appointed include: District Judges Gerald Moran, Chair, Omaha; David Urbom, McCook; Jodi Nelson, Lincoln; County Judges Kent D.Turnbull, North Platte; Kenneth Vampola, Fremont; Curtis Maschman, Falls City; Chief Probation Officers Ron Broich, Omaha, and Rich Chisholm, Columbus, and Ellen Fabian Brokofsky, State Probation Administrator.

Clerks of District Court Elect New Officers
The executive committee for the Clerks of District Court Association is now:

President: Vickie Prince, Pierce County
Vice-President: Pam Scott, Richardson County
Secretary/Treasurer: Valorie Bendixen, Hall County
Past-President: Edie Baumbach

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Printing of Paycheck Stubs
Help Desk Information
For employees who continue to have problems printing paycheck stubs, the best place for help is the Department of Administrative Services Help Desk. DAS Help Desk staff have been assisting individuals with printing problems, particularly those where the entire pay stub will not print. The phone number to call is 402-471-4636.

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Supreme Court Rule Amendments
Guideline for Statewide Monitoring of Court-Appointed Attorney Fees
The new Supreme Court Guideline for Statewide Monitoring of Court-Appointed Attorney Fees, approved January 24, 2008, can be read in full on the Supreme Court Best Practice Guidelines and Standards page of the Judicial Branch Web site: http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/guidelines/index.shtml

For a direct link to the guideline, click here.

Child Support Guidelines
The Supreme Court approved an amendment to Paragraph R, Basic Subsistence Limitation, of the Child Support Guidelines on February 27, 2008, to reflect an increase in the net monthly income for one person, or the poverty guideline, to $867.

Supreme Court Rules Open for Review and Comments
Protection of Personal and Financial Information in Civil Court Records (Redaction Rule)
The proposed protection of personal information rule is posted on the Judicial Branch Web site for review and comment (deadline March 14, 2008), at http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/amendments/RedactionProposedRule.pdf

Anyone desiring to comment on the revised proposed rules, which include Neb. Ct. R. of Dist. Cts. 21 and Appendix 3, as well as Neb. Ct. R. of Cty. Cts. 64 (options 1 and 2), should do so in writing to the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, P.O. Box 98910, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-8910, or via e-mail to lasmussen@nsc.state.ne.us, no later than March 14, 2008.

History of the rule proposal:
On May 1, 2006, the Nebraska State Bar Association filed a Petition to Adopt Rules for the Redaction of Personal Information from Civil Court Documents, S-36-06002, and the proposed request for amendment of such petition was filed on September 26, 2007. On October 16, 2007, the proposed rules were published by the Nebraska Supreme Court for comment until December 14, 2007. The Supreme Court considered such comments and made further revisions. The revised rule is now open for comment.

The proposed rule changes/additions are available at www.supremecourt.ne.gov/rules/index.shtml for review or a hard copy may be viewed in the office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals upon request.

Amendments to Travel Policy
Amendments to the Travel Policies have been approved by the Nebraska Supreme Court. These policies apply equally to all officers and employees of the Nebraska Supreme Court. The following are some of those amendments:

• Approval for travel is required for meetings or functions that are not part of normal day-to-day travel.
• Expense voucher forms are available online at: www.supremecourt.ne.gov/forms/expdoc.pdf
• Prior approval is requiredto obtain reimbursement for an education event that is not sponsored by Judicial Branch Education using the following form available at: www.supremecourt.ne.gov/jbe/pdf/jbe-request-commitment-of-funds.pdf.
• Itemized receipts (not credit card receipts) for meal expenses are now required. The receipts need to be attached to the expense voucher to satisfy the IRS requirement for an accountable plan. Unsubstantiated meal expenses will not be reimbursed.
• Meal reimbursement limitations have changed. Guidelines for meal allowances outside the State of Nebraska can be found on the following Web site: www.gsa.gov.
• Employees or officers will not be reimbursed for any meal that was provided as part of an event or function should they choose to eat elsewhere.
• In no event should the Federal GSA per person per night rate be exceeded without advance approval. Any deviation from the Federal per diem rates (GSA per diem rates: www.gsa.gov/perdiem) must be accompanied by documentation justifying the need for such deviation.
• It is the responsibility of an employee or officer to honor hotel/motel checkout times. If a late checkout results in a charge for that day, payment of that charge will be the responsibility of the officer or employee.

Click here to read all the amendments to the Travel Policies.

Contact Judy Beutler, Deputy Court Administrator, 402-471-2921, jbeutler@nsc.state.ne.us.

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Office of Dispute Resolution
Annual Report Now Available
The 2006-2007 Annual Report for the Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution is available for review. It contains a summary of mediation case activity provided by the six ODR-approved mediation centers during the 06-07 program year. It reflects a continuing trend of increasing court referrals to the mediation centers. The report can be viewed online at: http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/mediation/pdf/2006-2007_Annual_Report.pdf.

Contact Debora Brownyard, Director, Office of Dispute Resolution, 402-471-2766, dbrownyard@nsc.state.ne.us.

Information Technology
Nebraska Trial Courts Makes Schedule of Court Cases Available Online
The Judicial Branch Web site hosts an online service that allows attorneys, litigants and the general public to retrieve up-to-date trial court case schedules on the Internet.

The JUSTICE court case schedule calendar is an easy-to-use resource designed to quickly locate a hearing scheduled in participating courts. The new online case information is available through a link on the Nebraska Judicial Branch Web Site at: www.nebraska.gov/courts/calendar/index.cgi.

Read the full press release on Case Scheduler: http://supremecourt.ne.gov/press/2008-releases/court-schedule.pdf.

District Courts in the following counties are not included at this time: Adams, Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Boyd, Buffalo, Butler, Cherry, Dixon, Douglas, Garden, Grant, Greeley, Hall, Hitchcock, Keya Paha, Lancaster, Logan, McPherson, Phelps, Rock, and Webster.

Ten More Counties Added to Courts Offering Online Payment
Courts in ten more counties, including Nebraska’s highest and lowest populated areas, have added themselves to the list of courts offering motorists the option to pay traffic tickets online. As of Tuesday, February 19, drivers who receive payable traffic citations (tickets with a set fine which can be paid without a court appearance) in Arthur, Boone, Burt, Cedar, Dakota, Douglas, Dundy, Gage, Jefferson and Pierce Counties are able to pay their traffic fines on the Internet through the Nebraska Judicial Branch's new online payment system: https://www.nebraska.gov/courts/citations/

Thus far there are 35 county courts offering the ePayment alternative. Eleven more will be added in March and the remaining courts added this summer. To read the full press release: http://supremecourt.ne.gov/press/2008-releases/epayments-10.pdf

Contact Bill Miller, Deputy Court Administrator, 402-471-3049, bmiller@nsc.state.ne.us.

Judicial Branch Education
Training on Assisting Self-Represented Litigants
Regional training for court staff on assisting self-represented litigants begins online registration this week. The class will begin at 9:00 a.m. in each of the following locations: April 21, 2008, Kearney; April 22, 2008, Ogallala; April 23, 2008, Valentine; and April 29, 2008, Ashland. A conference for judges of both the county and district benches will begin at noon at each location. Judges may register online or send in a registration form attached to the brochure.

New Employee Orientation
New employee orientation in Lincoln on April 18, 2008, is offered for all new employees hired since January 1, 2007. The orientation is designed for all state court employees, including clerk magistrates. The orientation will be repeated May 21, 2008, in order to insure all employees have an opportunity to attend. Official court reporters will continue to have a separate orientation at the time of their annual meeting.

H.R. Management Program Available on DVD
The two DVDs that comprise the H.R. Management program are now available to court staff wishing to receive credit for the program. Contact JBE to check out the DVDs. The conference notebook is available on the JBE Web site and should be used along with the DVDs. To receive credit, watch the DVDs and fill out the worksheet that accompanies the video. Return the worksheet with the DVDs to JBE. If a passing grade is received on the worksheet, credit will be assigned, otherwise, the worksheet will be returned for resubmission.

Contact Carole McMahon-Boies, Director, Judicial Branch Education, 402-471-3072, cmcmahonboies@nsc.state.ne.us.

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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, cmcmahonboies@nsc.state.ne.us.

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@nsc.ne.gov.

Upcoming 2008 State Holidays
April 25, Arbor Day
May 26, Memorial Day
July 4, Independence Day
September 1, Labor Day
October 13, Columbus Day
November 11, Veteran's Day
November 27 – 28, Thanksgiving Day & Friday following
December 25, Christmas Day

Filing and Reporting Requirements
•Statement for Payment of Interpreters: Interpreter to submit 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.
• Cash Drawer Short/Long Transactions (County Court only): 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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