Two Nebraska Judges Receive Distinguished Judge Awards 
District Court Judge James E. Doyle, 11th Judicial District, is the recipient of the Distinguished Judge for Service to the Community Award for 2010. Judge Doyle is the current Chairperson of the Nebraska Supreme Court Committee on Problem-Solving Courts where he provides direction and structure to a statewide committee of judges, lawyers and individuals involved with drug and other problem-solving courts, which he has led since February 2008. Judge Doyle balances his drug court committee work with his service on the Case Management Committee for Nebraska Trial Courts and the Nebraska Supreme Court Automation Advisory Committee.

Through his efforts, Judge Doyle has garnered strong support of the drug court system within his judicial district. His local drug court continues to expand and demonstrate its good work. The 11th Judicial District is presently planning to institute a juvenile drug court to complement its existing program. Click here to read full press release.


Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, Everett Inbody, is the recipient of the Distinguished Judge for Service to the Judiciary Award 2010. This year marks Judge Inbody’s 24th year of service on the bench; 5 years in the county/juvenile court, 5 years on the district court bench and the remainder with the Court of Appeals. Inbody is presently serving as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, a position he has held since 2004.

In 2005, Judge Inbody was appointed co-chairman of the Commission of Children in the Courts where he utilized his experience in juvenile and criminal court to study appropriate steps for the judicial system to insure the court system’s responsiveness to children. As a result of his commission work, Judge Inbody implemented the Court of Appeals' "rocket docket" for abuse/neglect cases to move cases of children through the system at a more rapid pace. Click here to read full press release.

Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission Awards
The Workers’ Compensation Court was presented with a special award of appreciation during the annual judicial awards dinner on October 21, 2010.  Presiding Judge Laureen Van Norman accepted the award noting the exemplary work of Workers’ Compensation technology staff Randall Cecrle and Bruce Cramer.  The MCLE Commission awarded the plaque, “In recognition of the dedication to excellence shown by the Workers’ Compensation Court in its support of the mission of the MCLE Commission and significant technical contributions of the IT staff to MCLE’s technical infrastructure and Web development.”

The Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission also presented the Nebraska State Bar Foundation with an award in recognition of the generous support given by the Foundation allowing the adaptation of state-of-the-art technology to assist attorneys in complying with the Nebraska Supreme Court Rule on Mandatory Continuing Education.

In his remarks, the Chief Justice noted that thanks to the support of the Foundation, the MCLE Commission was able to purchase software to build an automated system for approving sponsors of continuing legal education and tracking lawyer education credits including customized tracking for Guardians ad Litem in juvenile court.

The award was accepted by Foundation President, Robert Berkshire.

Exceptional Judicial Branch Employees Recognized by Chief Justice Heavican During Annual Awards Celebration
Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, Mike Heavican, presented nine Employee Recognition Awards to individuals and teams on October 4, 2010, during the Nebraska Supreme Court’s second annual recognition event.

The Employee Recognition Committee selected eight employees and an employee team from the nominations submitted for the Employee Recognition Awards. Candidates for the awards were chosen and nominated by their supervisors and colleagues in the courts and probation offices where they work. The purpose of the program is to provide a tool to recognize ongoing court and probation employee dedication, acknowledge exemplary contributions, and encourage employee commitment.

• Employee of the Year - Dave Cote, Drug Technician, Papillion
• Outstanding Probation Office Support Staff - Debi Hazy, Senior Secretary, Sidney
• Outstanding Trial or Appellate Court Employee - Kris M. Riekenberg, Official Court Reporter, Beatrice
• Outstanding Probation Officer - Rick C. DeKlotz, Senior Probation Officer, Falls City
• Outstanding Court Supervisor/Administrative Employee - Lori Miskimins, Clerk Magistrate, Chadron
• Outstanding Probation Supervisor - Shane H. Stutzman, Chief Deputy Probation Officer, York
• Outstanding Customer Service Award - Kathleen Hein, Records Clerk, Columbus, and Darla Schiefelbein, Clerk Magistrate, Columbus
• Innovation Award - Sheryl Connolly, Trial Court Services Director, Lincoln
• Outstanding Team Award - JUSTICE Staff (Deputy Administrator for Technology Bill Miller and Business Analysts Sue Nieto, Paula Crouse, Laurayne R. Hall, Sherri A. Dennis, Gretchen Wiebe, Kristi Kreuscher, and Leigh Thomas), Lincoln

Click here to view a slideshow of the awards ceremony.

Supreme Court Committee Releases Report Recommending Changes to the Guardian and Conservator System
State Senator John Wightman released a comprehensive report on the Status of Adult Guardianships and Conservatorships in Nebraska. The report is the result of a summer-long study. In April of this year, Chief Justice Mike Heavican formed the 14-member committee comprised of judges, attorneys, legislators, court personnel, law enforcement, and accountants responsible for examining Nebraska’s guardian and conservator system. Over half of the members of the committee have served and have practical experience as a guardian or conservator. Senator Wightman was selected to serve as Chair.

Click here to read the full press release.

Report of Final Recommendations of the Joint Review Committee on the Status of Adult Guardianships and Conservatorships in the Nebraska Court System
The Nebraska Supreme Court is asking for public comment on the report.  Anyone wishing to comment should do so in writing to the Supreme Court Clerk no later than December 1, 2010.

Click here to read the “Notice for Comment.”

Click here to read the Report of Final Recommendations.

 

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Counsel for Discipline
New Advisory Opinion Released
Nebraska Ethics Advisory Opinion for Lawyers No. 10-06 was released in late October through the Counsel for Discipline.  The opinion addresses a lawyer’s obligations and potential conflicts when representing a government agency.

Click here to read the full opinion.

Trial Court Calendar Application
A new application for the iPhone and iPad from the Nebraska Judicial System is now available from the iTunes store for free downloading. The Nebraska Court Calendar app gives the user the ability to search most district and all county court hearing schedules to find day, time, and location information.

Click here to read full press release.

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Hon. Windrum Passes
Former District Court Judge C.  Keith Windrum, Gothenburg, died October 11, 2010, in Boise, Idaho. He served in Lincoln County from 1972-1983.

New Court Personnel
Lori Boyd, Records Clerk, Sarpy County, effective October 18, 2010.
Megan Wobig, Clerk Magistrate, Deuel and Garden Counties, effective October 18, 2010.
Diane Watson, Cashier, Lancaster County, effective October 26, 2010.
Angela L. Comeau, Official Court Reporter for Hon. Vicky Johnson, effective November 1, 2010.

New Probation Personnel
Melissa Elder, Probation Officer, District #4A, Omaha, effective October 22, 2010.
David Anderson, half-time Assistant Probation Officer/half-time Probation Officer, District #4A, Omaha, effective October 22, 2010.
Lynette Chada, Probation Officer, District #6, South Sioux City, effective November 8, 2010.
Ross Tomjack, Probation Officer, District #8, O’Neill, effective November 15, 2010.

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Judges’ Associations Elect New Officers
District Judges’ Association 
President: William B. Zastera
President-Elect: W. Mark Ashford
Secretary/Treasurer: Teresa K. Luther
Executive Committee: Karen B. Flowers, Robert B. Ensz, Donald E. Rowlands

Click here for full listing.

County Judges’ Association
President:  Donna F. Taylor
Vice-President: James M. Worden
Secretary:  Susan Bazis
Treasurer: Linda S. Caster Senff
Executive Committee: Laurie Yardley, Robert A. Ide, Edward D. Steenburg

Click here for full listing.

Separate Juvenile Judges’ Association
Robert B. O'Neal

Click here for full listing.

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Judgment Interest Rate
Effective October 21, 2010, the judgment interest rate is 2.188%.  Click here for prior rates.

Nebraska Court Technology Guidelines
On October 14, 2010, the Nebraska Supreme Court approved Nebraska Court Technology Guidelines, the purpose of which is to indentify for the Nebraska courts appropriate and recommended technology for use in the courts and to provide guidance to the practicing bar in accessing and using such technology.  Read the full rule: Nebraska Court Technology Guidelines

For additional guidance, click here to view the courtroom technology equipment video of Judge Alan Brodbeck (Flash player required).

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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.
• Stenographer Transcription Reports: Due by the 10th 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.
• Expense Vouchers: Submit on a monthly basis (rather than combining several months of expenses on one voucher).

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Requests for Transcription
Please remember that ALL transcription requests should be sent to:

Linda Mitchell
Assistant Clerk I
Antelope County Court
P.O. Box 26
Neligh, NE 68756
402-887-4650 Phone
402-887-4160 FAX
linda.mitchell@nebraska.gov

Find the new Request for Transcription form at: http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/forms/administrative/request-transcription.pdf

Contact Judy Beutler, Deputy Court Administrator, 402-471-2921, judy.beutler@nebraska.gov.

Publication Ordering Available Online
Court staff may order publications from the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation (AOC/P) online at www.nebraska.gov/courts/ordering/order.cgi. The AOC/P’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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