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Administrative Memorandum 11-12 | November / December 2011

  • Special Projects & Events
  • Administrative Office of the Courts & Probation
  • Human Resources
  • People
    		•
  • Committees · Commissions
  • Rule, Form & Policy Changes
  • Calendar Items
  • Miscellaneous
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    SPECIAL PROJECTS & EVENTS


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    ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS & PROBATION


      Judicial Branch Education
      JUSTICE Training
      Dates for 2012 JUSTICE training for county and district court have been set.  Court staff can see all training dates set for 2012 on the “Calendar of Live Education” events on the JBE online registration website or from the link on this webpage: http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/jbe/jbe-ed-programs.shtml.

      There is a minimum of three attendees and a maximum of six attendees at each session.  Training will not be scheduled if there are less than three registered for a session. Online registration will close two weeks prior to the training.   

      County Court
      January 23 - 27, 2012, Lincoln – Registration Deadline is January 19, 2012.
      February 27 - March 2, 2012, North Platte – Registration Deadline is February 13, 2012.

      District Court
      January 10 - 12, 2012, Lincoln – registration deadline is December 27, 2011.
      February 7 - 9, 2012, North Platte – registration deadline is January 24, 2012.

      Click here to view upcoming education opportunities (click on "calendar" located next to 'search for courses').

      Contact Alicia at JBE if you have trouble using the online registration Web site or any other questions.

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

      Contact Alicia Guerra, Administrative Assistant, 402-471-0275, alicia.guerra@nebraska.gov.

      Microfilm Conversion Process through State Records Management
      Court records can now be converted to microfilm through a cooperative process with Nebraska Records Management Division. When courts are ready to have records microfilmed, rather than pulling files, removing paperclips and numbering pages, the court can email Margaret Bohy at the Records Management Division of the Secretary of State’s Office and have scanned records microfilmed electronically.

      For more information, click here to read the Administrative Announcement.

      Probate Cases Join e-Filing in Nebraska
      Nebraska County Courts have added probate case filings to the list of case types available through the court’s Internet-based filing system.  Probate e-filing is now offered for existing cases in the areas of estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trusts. Nebraska attorneys can submit their filings to any of the 93 county courts in the state via the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s eFiling system.  Probate case types join civil, criminal and juvenile case types, which are already a part of eFiling.  Confidential documents are protected throughout the filing process and when stored within the computer files, just as financial and personal information is now protected in other types of eFiled cases. “We are very pleased to be adding Probate to our suite of electronic filing services,” says State Court Administrator Janice Walker.  “Our hope is that the trial courts’ continuing advances in technology have made it easier for attorneys to conduct business and pass these benefits on to their clients.” 

      Other Nebraska Court online services offered: 

      Nebraska Court eFiling requires a Nebraska.gov subscription account, but is offered at no cost other than any applicable statutory filing fee.  Over 2000 attorneys are subscribed to file electronically, and the Nebraska courts’ eFiling service currently processes approximately 20,000 documents per month. 

      Nebraska also offers an Attorney Portal which provides links to court and state agency online services in a centralized location.

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    HUMAN RESOURCES


      Duties for County Court Employees
      County court employees continue to see changes in how work is performed in the courts.  Technology and budget cuts have driven many of these changes; we appreciate your willingness to adapt.  We want all employees to be aware that from time to time you may be asked to continue to perform new duties including remote work for other courts and traveling to assist other county courts.  Many of you already do this and enjoy the opportunity to learn from and share your knowledge with employees in other courts.  As of January 16, 2012, travel to work in other county courts may be required for all employees as needed.  Employees will be paid for mileage to and from other courts and will not be expected to exceed their 8-hour work day because of this travel.  Thank you all for your continued hard work for the Nebraska court system.

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

      Revised Employee Dress Policy
      A revised employee dress policy, approved by the Nebraska Supreme Court on November 22, 2011, has been sent to all employees of the Nebraska Supreme Court and added to the Personnel Policies and Procedures of the Nebraska Supreme Court. 

      Click here to r      ead the Personnel Policies.

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

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    PEOPLE

      Rumbaugh Appointed as Commissioner for ICJ
      Kari Rumbaugh, Deputy Interstate Compact Administrator for the Nebraska Supreme Court’s Office of Probation Administration, was appointed as Nebraska’s Commissioner for the Interstate Commission for Juveniles (ICJ) on November 22, 2011. Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican appointed Rumbaugh as commissioner at the recommendation of the Nebraska Juvenile Interstate Compact State Council.

      The Interstate Commission for Juveniles, the governing body of the Interstate Compact for Juveniles, coordinates the effective screening and tracking of Probation offenders’ movements across state lines to promote public safety, including victims of juvenile offenders, by providing accountability, enforcement, visibility, and communication. The office interprets rules and regulations on behalf of probation officers and initiates problem resolution in acceptance/denial/supervision of transferred cases, disputes with other states and oversees the safe and timely return of out-of-state runaways      .

      Memorial Service for Former Chief Justice William C. Hastings
      A video link to the memorial service for former Chief Justice William C. Hastings, held on December 9, 2011, is now online: Video of Memorial Service

      Upcoming Judicial Retirements
      Hon. Charles Plantz, County Court, 12th Judicial District, December 31, 2011.

      New Judges
      To read the Governor's press release, click each name.

      Arthur S. Wetzel, County Court, 9th Judicial District, Grand Island (signing oath December 23, 2011).
      Thomas K. Harmon, County       Court , 4th Judicial District, Omaha (signed oath December 16, 2011).
      Kimberly M. Pankonin, District Court, 4th Judicial District, Omaha (appointed December 12, 2011).

      New Court Personnel
      Ralene Cheng, Financial Officer, AOC, effective November 1, 2011.
      Shannon Clausen, Records Clerk, Lancaster County Court, effective November 2, 2011.
      Jay Wilson, Administrative Assistant, Parenting Act/Mediation, effective November 7, 2011.
      Dustin Lipskey, Information Systems Analyst, AOC, effective November 14, 2011.
      Susana Vasquez, Cashier, Lancaster County Court, effective November 21, 2011.
      Jill Albracht, Official Court Reporter, Omaha, effective November 23, 2011.
      Cynthia Craig, Official Court Reporter, Omaha, effective December 5, 2011.
      Joni Woods, Clerk Magistrate, Box Butte County Court, effective December 8, 2011.

      New Probation Personnel
      Teresa Cousins, AmeriCorps Program Specialist, District #9, Kearney, effective October 28, 2011.
      Damon Strong, full-time Probation Officer, District #4A, Omaha, effective November 14, 2011.
      James Laufenberg, Probation Officer, District #4A, Omaha, effective November 28, 2011.
      Monica Oberembt, Probation Officer, District #3A, Lincoln, effective December 1, 2011.
      Jason Brandt, Probation Officer, District #12, Gering, effective December 1, 2011.
      Carrie Rodriguez, Chief Deputy Probation Officer, District #5, Columbus, effective December 12, 2011.
      Danielle Vanecek¸ Probation Officer, District #4A, Omaha, effective December 14, 2011.
      Christine Richter, Probation Officer, District #3A, Lincoln, effective January 23, 2012.

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    COMMITTEES · COMMISSIONS



      Re-engineering Committee
      The Nebraska Supreme Court’s Re-engineering Committee met with National Center for State Courts representatives, Lee Suskin and Laura Klaversma, December 12, 2011, in Lincoln.  The group discussed pilot projects in the areas of centralized fine collection, remote review of guardian/conservator accountings, enhancing technology and sharing court services across county lines.  Judge committee members each picked assignments to pursue with assistance and input from the National Center.  Project development will begin in 2012.

      Contact Hon. Patrick McDermott, County Judge, 402-352-8511, patrick.mcdermott@nebraska.gov

      Judicial Ethics Committee Opinion: Judge Disqualification
      The Judicial Ethics Committee has released an opinion in response to the following question:

      Must a judge disqualify himself/herself from all cases pending before that judge in which a litigant is represented by an attorney who also represents the judge’s former spouse in a pending matter in a different court in which the judge is an adverse party?

      To read the Committee’s response, click here.

      Judicial Resources Commission
      The Nebraska Judicial Resources Commission held their annual meeting Monday, December 12, 2011, at the State Capitol.  Live streaming of the hearing was hosted on the Internet through Nebraska Educational Television’s public media program. Click here to read the Minutes of the meeting on the Judicial Branch Web site.

      Photo: Lincoln attorney, Sean Brennan, presents to the Judicial Resources Commission on behalf of the Lincoln Bar Association.

      Clerks of the District Court Procedures Committee Presented Award
      State Court Administrator Janice Walker (center) and Trial Court Services Director Sheryl Connolly (right) recognized the District Court Clerk Procedures Manual Committee (l to r) Joyce Wusk, Saline County;  Marlene Vetick, Platte County; and Marjorie Schaffer, Madison County; with JUSTICE Business Analyst Paula Crouse (second from right) at the Nebraska Association of County Officials Clerk of District Court meeting held December 15, 2011.   The Procedures Manual Committee is celebrating its 10th anniversary and completion of the final procedures manual for the district court.  The committee will continue to meet to consider updates and revisions in response to the changing needs of the court.

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

       

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    RULE, FORM AND POLICY CHANGES


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    CALENDAR ITEMS

      2011 (holidays in red)

      		  
      December 26 Christmas
         

      2012 (holidays in red)

      		  
      January 2 New Year's Day
      January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
      February 20 Presidents' Day
      April 27 Arbor Day
      May 28 Memorial Day
      July 4 Independence Day
      September 3 Labor Day
      October 8 Columbus Day
      November 12 Veterans Day
      November 22 - 23 Thanksgiving and Friday following
      December 25 Christmas

      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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    MISCELLANEOUS


      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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    Chief Justice Michael G. Heavican
    Janice K. Walker, State Court Administrator
    Ellen Fabian Brokofsky, State Probation Administrator


    This file last modified Monday January 23, 2012 09:52:43