May as National Drug Court Month in Nebraska

A public proclamation signing ceremony was held on May 12, 2010, in the Warner Legislative Chamber of the State Capitol declaring May as Drug Court Month in Nebraska. The proclamation, presented by Governor Dave Heineman, was presented to Statewide Coordinator for Problem-Solving Courts Scott Carlson, who accepted on behalf of the problem-solving and drug court system in Nebraska.

The following Problem-Solving Court programs held graduation ceremonies in the month of May:



 

5/01/2010	Southeast Nebraska Adult Drug Court	9 graduates
5/10/2010	District 6 Adult Drug Court (Dodge County)	1 graduate
5/14/2010	Central Nebraska Adult Drug Court	17 graduates
5/24/2010	District 6 Adult Drug Court (Dodge County)	1 graduates
5/24/2010	Sarpy County Adult Drug Court	2 graduates
5/24/2010	Scotts Bluff County DWI Court	1 graduate
5/25/2010	Douglas County Specialized Treatment and Recovery Family Drug Court	5 families
5/25/2010	Douglas County 0-5 Family Dependency Court	2 families

Congratulations to these programs and to the graduates who made the decisions to lead better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities.

View Carlson’s comments and ceremony photos by clicking: Governor's Proclamation: May Nebraska Drug Court Month.

Contact Scott Carlson, Statewide Coordinator of Problem-Solving Courts, 402-471-4415, scott.carlson@nebraska.gov.

Luncheon, “Star Wars” Presentation Honor Law Day Essay Contest Winners
Winners of the Eleventh Annual Law Day Essay Contest, sponsored by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and the Nebraska Supreme Court, were recognized at a special Law Day luncheon at the Governor’s Residence in Lincoln on May 4, 2010. 

Student winners were Arria Lakha, 8th grade, Norfolk Junior High School; Austin Horan, 9th grade, Lincoln North Star High School;  Hannah Opfer, 10th grade, Blair Senior High School;  Ashley Kemling,10th grade, Perkins County High School; Nicole Stadler, 11th grade, North Platte St. Patrick’s High School; and Alex Zhu, 12th grade, Omaha Westside High School.  Two tenth grade winners were selected, as they received an identical number of points in the contest.  This win marks the second consecutive win for 10th grader Hannah Opfer.

Following the luncheon, University of Houston Law Center Professor and Dean Raymond T. Nimmer presented, “Star Wars:  Clash of Laws, Digital Technology, and the Internet.”  Nimmer’s presentation originated from the Court of Appeals Chamber in the State Capitol.  The presentation was interactive via distance learning with a United States Government class in Chadron and the Mock Trial team in Sidney. 

Photo slideshow available on the Nebraska State Bar Foundation Web site, Click here: Law Day at Capitol slideshow.  

 

5th Grade Job Shadow, Law Day 2010
Fifth graders from seven Nebraska communities celebrated Law Day by participating in job shadowing for the ninth year.

Students from the following communities joined the more than 2,000 fifth graders who have participated in Law Day Job Shadowing since 2002:  Alliance, Kearney/Pleasanton, Kimball, Neligh, O’Neill, Pawnee City, and Wilber.  Local judges and court clerks coordinated the activities and recruited lawyers and other professionals with law-related jobs to host the students.  This year, students and teachers were able to prepare for their job shadowing visits by watching short orientation videos via podcasts.  The podcasts may be viewed at http://www.nebarfnd.org/law-day-job-shadowing/.

In addition to learning about the day-to-day work of their hosts, students also experienced the various technologies used by the courts and law enforcement.  This year’s Law Day theme in Nebraska was “Democracy Responds to Technology.”

To view online slideshows of the fifth graders in action on Law Day, click on: Law Day Celebrations.  Also available on this Web page is information on events from Law Day in Omaha and Grand Island.

Omaha Daily Record Features Courts for Law Day
The Omaha Daily Record published several articles written by judges or honoring members of the judicial branch in their Law Day issue “Enduring Traditions, Emerging Challenges,” May 3, 2010.  To read selected features/articles, click on links below:

• Justices, Attorneys Celebrate Law Day in Capital City.
• Law Day Perspective Papers by Chief Justice Michael Heavican: 21st Century Changes; Court of Appeals Judge Everett Inbody: The Future: Little, If Any, Paper; and, Court of Appeals Judge Theodore Carlson: Technology and the Rule of Law.
• Public Service Honored, John Dougherty, Douglas County Court
• OBA Spire Award, Judge Doug Johnson, Douglas County Separate Juvenile Court

National Reunification Day
Three Nebraska courts are launching Reunification Day celebrations via their “Eyes of the Child” initiative teams.  The goal of National Reunification Day is three-fold:

• To celebrate the accomplishments of families who have overcome an array of challenges to reunify safely and successfully.
• To recognize the vital role that community partners – including mental health and substance abuse providers, courts and judges, foster parents and others – play in helping to reunify, strengthen and support families.
• To inspire other parents – particularly those going through the recovery process – that it is possible to confront and resolve the issues that led to their separation, and to reunify with their children.

While June 19 is the official 2010 ‘National Reunification’ day, a number of jurisdictions across the country are celebrating on different days and weeks. Nebraska events related to National Reunification Day are:

• Reunification Events this summer -  10th Judicial District with Host Judge Michael Offner and 5th Judicial District with Host Judge Curtis Evans
• Reunification picnic and party June 12 in Elmwood Park, Omaha with Host Judge Doug Johnson
• June 9 proclamation signing ceremony with Governor Heineman in the State Capitol to launch celebrations.

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Judicial Branch Education
Summer Meetings
As a reminder, in order to conserve limited funds, the Nebraska Supreme Court has cancelled state-funded education meetings for judges and staff this spring and summer.  See February 2010 Informational Release.

Webinars and Online Education
Judicial Branch Education will be offering a full component of Webinars which can be viewed on the JBE Web page: http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/jbe/jbe-ed-programs.shtml.  JBE is developing a new online course Web page at: www.nebraskajbe.org

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

Contact Alicia Guerra, Administrative Assistant, 402-471-3137, alicia.guerra@nebraska.gov.

Nebraska Supreme Court Announces Two New Interpreters for the Court System, Spring 2010
The Nebraska Supreme Court announces that two interpreters have successfully passed the oral certification exam to qualify as Nebraska Supreme Court Certified Court Interpreters. Both are certified for interpretation in the Spanish language.

Interpreter Robert Kingston (left), Lincoln, took  his oath as a Certified Court Interpreter on May 20 during a private swearing-in ceremony in the Supreme Court Courtroom presided over by Justice John M. Gerrard.



Interpreter Al Villarreal (right), Omaha, was sworn in by Hon. Stephen Swartz on May 27 during a ceremony held at the Douglas County Court.

Contact Sheryl Connolly, Trial Court Services Director, 402-471-2671, sheryl.connolly@nebraska.gov.

 

 

Counsel for Discipline
Attorney Complaint Form in Spanish
The Counsel for Discipline (La Oficina del Asesor de Disciplina) now has a Spanish translation explaining how to file a complaint against a Nebraska attorney.  Information can be found on the Judicial Branch Web site under "Information en Espanol," or on the Counsel for Discipline page (found by clicking on Professional Ethics; Professional Ethics for Lawyers) under "How to File a Grievance." Call or write the Counsel for Discipline office to request a printed brochure in Spanish explaining how to file a grievance.
 
New Lawyer Ethics Advisory Opinions Online
Several Advisory Opinions were recently issued by the Counsel for Discipline:

• 10-01 lawyer modification of existing contingent fee agreement
• 10-02 serving on juvenile cases when spouse employed by the Department of Health and Human Services
• 10-03  attorney advertisement on a Web site
• 10-04 "Of Counsel" and retired partner references

To view all opinions, click: Lawyers Advisory Committee Opinions.

Contact Dennis Carlson, Counsel for Discipline, 402-471-1040, dennis.carlson@nebraska.gov.

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Open Enrollment
Thanks to all for another successful Open Enrollment.  It is extremely important that employees check their July, 2010, paycheck stub to verify that all of the elections made during the Open Enrollment process appear correctly.  We have had situations in the past where an employee has a copy of their Final Confirmation Statement and not all deductions were made correctly.  If that would be the case for you and you did not realize the deduction was not taken until much later in the plan year, the chances of getting it fixed would be very slim.  Please take the time at the end of July to make sure that all deductions are correct.  If they are not, and you did keep a copy of your Final Confirmation Statement, you will need to call your HR person to try and get the problem(s) resolved.  Your HR contacts are:

All Judges, Appellate Court Staff, Court Reporters:
Kathy Moore, kathy.s.moore@nebraska.gov

County Court Staff other than Judges:             
Eileen Janssen, eileen.janssen@nebraska.gov

All Probation Staff:                   
Jacki Allensworth, jacki.allensworth@nebraska.gov
Thelma Smith, thelma.smith@nebraska.gov

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Retirements
Judge Quist to Retire June 30, 2010
Judge Darvid Quist, retiring June 30, 2010, has served the District Court of the 6th Judicial Distict (Burt, Cedar, Dakota, Dixon, Dodge, Thurston, Washington counties) since 1981 and has been a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association since 1961. He attended the University of Nebraska College of Law, receiving his J.D. in 1961. He received his undergraduate degree from Dana College in 1958. Judge Quist served in all officer positions and on several committees for the Nebraska District Judges Association. He also acted as Chairman of the State Court Administrator Court Fax Committee creating Supreme Court rules and Chairman of the Nebraska Supreme Court Judical Ethics Committee where he developed a formal procedural process for opinion format and delivery.

New Court Personnel
Jody Bousquet, Records Clerk, Sarpy County Court, effective April 28, 2010.
Debra McDaniel, Records Clerk, Douglas County Court, effective May 3, 2010.
James Paulson, Records Clerk, Douglas County Court, effective May 3, 2010.
Nancy DeKlotz, Richardson County Court (former assistant clerk), hired as Clerk Magistrate, effective May 10, 2010.

New Probation Personnel
Sarah Bartels, Probation Officer, District #6, South Sioux City, effective May 3, 2010.
Julie Hamburger, Probation Officer, District #12, Alliance, effective May 17, 2010.
Carrie Wemhoff, Office Manager, District #5, Columbus, effective May 17, 2010.
Rachel Sobota, Probation Officer, District #4A, Omaha, effective June 1, 2010.

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Judicial Branch Education Advisory Committee
The Supreme Court has added Judge Laureen Van Norman to the membership of the Judicial Branch Education Advisory Committee. For a listing of other committee members, click Judicial Branch Education Advisory Committee.

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

Judicial Resources Commission
The Judicial Resources Commission held a public hearing May 4, 2010, at which time it determined a vacancy exists in the 12th Judicial District, County Court, and that the vacancy should be sited in Gering.  The vacancy exists due to the retirement of Judge Glenn Camerer, effective February 1, 2010. 

A listing of commission members and a link to hearing minutes can be found here: http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/commissions/jrc.shtml

Judicial Nominating Commission 12th Judicial District, County Court
The Judicial Nominating Commission for County Court Judge in the 12th Judicial will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 1, 2010, in the Scotts Bluff County Courthouse in Gering, Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. Additional information in the press release:  http://supremecourt.ne.gov/press/2010-releases/camerer1.pdf

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Rule Amendments (made within the last 30-60 days):
Neb. Ct. R. § 6-1417 (Uniform County Court Rules of Practice and Procedure)
(adopted May 20, 2010)
Neb. Ct. R. § 6-702 (Interpreters in Court)
(adopted May 12, 2010)
Interpreter Fee Schedule and Payment Policy
(approved May 12, 2010)
Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court Rules of Procedure, Rules 3 and 14
(approved May 12, 2010)
Rules of the District Court of the Seventh Judicial District
(approved May 12, 2010; effective July 1, 2010)

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

Forms
New or Revised
CC 16:9.  Guardian letters have been divided into two new forms and separately slated for translations.  Please destroy old versions. 

• Letters of Guardianship for a Minor, CC 16:9a
• Letters of Guardianship for an Incapacitated Person, CC 16:9b

DC 6:7(1). The In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Affidavit and Application form, as well as the IFP instructions, have been redesigned for situations other than divorce.  The form and instructions are currently available in English; translations will be made at a later date.

• Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, DC 6:7(1)
• Instructions for Filling Out Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, DC 6:7(1a)

Translations
CC 6:9. The updated Sex Offender Registration Form (effective 01-01-2010) has been translated into Spanish.

• Sex Offender Registration Form, CC 6:9 (Spanish)

CC 6:1A.  The County Court financial affidavit has been and translated Spanish.

• Financial Affidavit, CC 6:1A (Spanish)


Click here for a a list of official court forms.

*Forms are translated or modified with fill-in format when requested by members of the Judicial Branch.  Staff and judges should email their requests to janet.bancroft@nebraska.gov.

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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.
• 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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Judges Filing For Retention Use Online Application
The Secretary of State’s Judicial Office Holder Retention Application form has been updated with 2010 dates.  Those judges filing for retention must do so by August 1, 2010.  Completed forms are to be returned directly to the Secretary of State where they are officially filed and will be uploaded to their Web site.
               
Secretary of State Fill-in Application: http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/pdf/judicial%20filing.pdf

Secretary of State - Elections Division
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 94608, Lincoln, NE 68509-4608
Location: State Capitol, Third Floor
Send email to: Elections  (sos.elect@nebraska.gov)

Link to the Secretary of State’s Web page ‘2010 Judicial Candidate List for retention in office’: http://www.sos.state.ne.us/elec/2010/pdf/judicial%20list.pdf
(Listing of judges who have filed for retention election in 2010)

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