Chief Justice's Leadership Committee
The Chief Justice’s Leadership Committee met in conjunction with the Reengineering Committee on Monday, May 21, 2012, at the Nebraska Educational Television studios in Lincoln.  During the morning session, several committees submitted reports and made presentations (view the compilation of reports at the link below). 

• Supreme Court Technology Committee
• Interpreter Advisory Committee/Nebraska Supreme Court Interpreter Program 
• Committee on Implementation of Assistance to Pro Se Litigants
• Workers’ Compensation Court Update
• Supreme Court Evidence-Based Practices Committee
• Problem-Solving Court Committee
• Juvenile Service Delivery Initiative
• Guardianship/Conservatorship Committee
• Through the Eyes of a Child Committee
• Supreme Court Commission on Children in the Courts
• Children/Truancy Project
• District and County Judge Case Management Committee
• Pilot Project Court Compliance/Payment of Fines & Costs Committee
• Remote Review of Guardianship/Conservatorship Annual Accountings
• Implementation of LB669

In the afternoon, judges were given a tour of NET studios highlighting the work on behalf of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals live stream satellite broadcasts.

Afternoon guest speakers included Senator Mike Flood who spoke on future trends for Nebraska and the state budget. Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) Director Larry Dix discussed the county government association’s Future 2020 report.  Following the presentation, Chief Justice Heavican presented an award of appreciation to NACO through Mr. Dix.

Click here to view the NACO award press release.

Click here to view the full set of Committee reports.

The Daily Record Authors Articles in Honor of Law Day
In honor of Law Day 2012, The Daily Record authored a series of articles relating to the funding of the court system, prison release, cameras, legal self-help, interpreters, and barriers to justice.  The Daily Record graciously shared the text of those articles with the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation for distribution throughout the court system. 

Click here for the compilation of the articles.

Law Day Job Shadow Completes Successful Season
This year’s annual Law Day Job Shadowing for fifth graders was held in several courts throughout the state. Court personnel, serving as local coordinators, invited one or more classrooms of fifth graders to shadow lawyers, judges, court clerks, law enforcement officers, court reporters, and interpreters to learn more about careers in the legal field.

In his congratulatory note to coordinators, Chief Justice Heavican noted that since the program’s inception in 2003, more than 2,000 students have benefitted from the program. 

Nebraska’s Law Day Job Shadowing is being featured at the 2012 Conference of Chief Justices/Conference of State Court Administrators' Civics Education Fair.  Nebraska Supreme Court Public Information Officer Janet Bancroft and Nebraska State Bar Foundation Executive Director Doris Huffman will present the materials following a civics education session titled “Civics and the Courts: The Role for State Court Leaders.” 

In concluding his letter, the Chief Justice wrote, “We appreciate your (Job Shadow coordinators) promoting the message to students that it is important to work hard and stay in school.  On behalf of the Nebraska Supreme Court and the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, thank you for your contribution to the future success of fifth graders in your community.”

The 2012 Job Shadowing Coordinators were:

• Laura Reynoldson, Holt County
• Angela Haun, Kimball County
• Sharon Mauler, Buffalo County
• Teresa McKeeman, Garden County
• LaRita Weber, Pawnee County
• Polly Olson, Deuel County

Click here to view a slideshow from the Job Shadow event in Kimball County.

Photo: Police Chief Mark Simpson speaks with students at the Kimball County Courthouse.

Douglas County Celebrates Reunification of Families through Juvenile Court
The Separate Juvenile Court for Douglas County invited the community to join the annual celebration of family reunification success stories on June 2, 2012, in Elmwood Park in Omaha.

This was the third year holding a local celebration for Douglas County in conjunction with the nationwide effort to commend the work of families, social workers, court personnel, mental health experts and others involved in bringing children and parents back together.

Click here to read the full press release.

Click here to read an article from the The Daily Record.

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Court Staff Working with Guardian/Conservator Changes
Please remember to check emails for updates to Guardian/Conservator forms.  Forms have been changed and updated since the Web site was initially developed in November 2011. 

The Web link to Guardian/Conservator page: http://www.supremecourt.ne.gov/Guardian/guardian-info.shtml

Photo: Sheryl Connolly conducts Guardian/Conservator education session regarding phone calls and resources for Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation staff and State Librarian.

Technology Use by Courts Noted by Press
The Associated Press released an article regarding courts and technology in late May.  The article was published by several Nebraska media outlets and motivated an editorial in the Lincoln Journal Star.  Following is an excerpt from the article. A compilation of recent court technology stories is available at the link below. 

Rural Judges Turning to Video Technology
"County judges in rural Nebraska are increasingly relying on video technology for hearings that would otherwise require several hours of windshield time for lawyers, interpreters, sheriffs deputies and the judges themselves.

Judges said use of a video conferencing service similar to Skype has grown increasingly common as more judges work in Lincoln, Omaha and other cities with larger caseloads. But they said the technology hasn't been added in some of the most rural areas, even though many court visitors have to travel hundreds of miles for hearings."

Click here to read the compilation of recent stories.

Photo: Judge Alan Brodbeck demonstrates video connection from Lincoln to drug court hearing in O'Neill for Sheryl Connolly.

Judicial Branch Education
Training Opportunities
Click here to view upcoming JBE-sponsored education opportunities. (Click on "calendar" located next to "search for courses".)   Online registration is currently open for the following education opportunities:

Court

• JUSTICE Training for 2012 (see dates below)
• 2012 Clerk Magistrates' Meeting, September 19 - 21, 2012, Omaha
• 2012 Fall Judges’ Meeting, October 24 - 26, 2012
• 2013 District Judges’ Meeting, June 5 - 7, 2013
• 2013 County Judges’ Meeting, June 26 - 28, 2013
• 2013 Fall Judges’ Meeting, October 2 - 4, 2013
• 2014 Fall Judges’ Meeting, October 8 - 10, 2014

Probation

• New Probation Officer Training Cycle 3 for 2012 begins July 9, 2012; registration closes June 25, 2012

JUSTICE Training
Dates for 2012 JUSTICE training for county and district courts 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 Web site or from the link on this Web page: 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 fewer than three registered for a session. Online registration will close two weeks prior to the training.

County Court
July 16 - 20, 2012, Lincoln. Registration deadline: July 2, 2012
August 20 - 24, 2012, North Platte. Registration deadline: August 6, 2012
October 22 - 26, 2012, Lincoln. Registration deadline: October 8, 2012
November 5 - 9, 2012, North Platte, Registration deadline: October 22, 2012

District Court
July 10-12, 2012, Lincoln. Registration deadline: June 26, 2012
August 7 - 9, 2012, North Platte. Registration deadline: July 24, 2012
October 16-18, 2012, Lincoln. Registration deadline: October 2, 2012
November 27-29, 2012, North Platte. Registration deadline: November 13, 2012

JBE Staff
Carole McMahon-Boies, Director, 402-471-3072, carole.mcmahon-boies@nebraska.gov
Jerid Wedige, Probation Education Manager, 402-471-4486, jerid.wedige@nebraska.gov
Alicia Guerra, Administrative Assistant, 402-471-0275, alicia.guerra@nebraska.gov
Diona Hartwig, Administrative Assistant, 402-471-0005, diona@hartwig@nebraska.gov

Trial Court Services
Court Interpreter Project
Testing for Certification as a Nebraska Court Interpreter will be held October 19 and 20, 2012, in Lincoln. Applicants must have completed Court Interpreter Orientation and passed the written English comprehension exam in order to be eligible.

Online Registration Opened June 1 for the Third Statewide Children’s Summit August 2012
The Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative and the Court Improvement Project will host the third statewide Children’s Summit August 27 - 29, 2012, in Kearney at the Younes Conference Center. The summit will begin with lunch on Monday and end early Wednesday afternoon. Accommodations and travel will be funded by the Court Improvement Project.

The Chief Justice has previously requested that court hearings not be scheduled during the summit so that all juvenile court judges and county court judges with juvenile court jurisdiction can attend.

Court Bench Book

• Child Support Calculator 2012 version (contact Janet Bancroft for password)

 

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Use of Social Media Policy
A new policy on the Use of Social Media was adopted by the Nebraska Supreme Court in May. The policy applies to all employees of the Nebraska Supreme Court and has been added to the Nebraska Supreme Court Personnel Policies and Procedures. 

There have also been amendments to the Nebraska Supreme Court Acceptable Use Policy for Computer and Internet Use to reflect this new policy. 

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Hutton Given State Bar Foundation Public Service Award
“In our communities, when current events shake our trust in one another, the justice system provides predictability, uniformity, and stability. The greatest obstacle we face is being misunderstood,” said Hutton. “It is important that we work together in raising awareness of and combating indifference toward civic responsibilities. In this role, we are particularly well suited.”

To a room filled with lawyer and judges who also serve their communities as volunteers, Judge Hutton noted, “The quality of life we enjoy in Nebraska is in no small measure because of the efforts each of you put forth in our communities.  As volunteers, mentors, and role models you promote and represent civility and professionalism in the practice of law. The efforts for which I am being recognized were inspired by you and accomplished through the tireless dedication of many others similarly moved by your example.”

Judge Liz Crnkovich honored during Omaha “Tribute to Women”
Judge Elizabeth Crnkovich was given Omaha Women's Center for Advancement’s (WCA, formerly the YWCA) “Tribute to Women” award in early June.

“ …Perhaps you've heard the parable: A woman walks a beach strewn with starfish, throwing them, one-by-one, back into the ocean. The naysayers sneer, 'There are thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly make a difference.' As she tosses another into the salt water, the woman replies, 'Well, I made a difference to that one.' Those who serve on the Juvenile Bench always feel that way about kids," said the Honorable Elizabeth Crnkovich, judge of the Separate Juvenile Court of Douglas County. "Every case, every child, every parent is unique. Each case before the court is the most important case, at that time and in that moment."

Click here to read full story in The Daily Record.

Bar Poll Schedule (2012)
Bar poll evaluations through the Nebraska State Bar Association were sent to over 5,000 practicing attorneys in Nebraska, Yankton, South Dakota, and in Sioux City and Council Bluffs, Iowa. Using a scale from 1-5, lawyers evaluate judges on characteristics such as legal analysis, judicial temperament, and efficiency in docket management.

Attorneys have been given the opportunity to provide comments to specific judges which are released to the judge(s) as a feedback tool. Evaluations are anonymous and tabulated by Objective Advantage, LLC. Survey results will be released to the judges in mid-July, and to the public approximately a week later.

Upcoming Judicial Retirements
Hon. Robert B. Ensz, District Court, 7th Judicial District, October 31, 2012. Click here to read the press release.

New Court Personnel
Joleen Perry, Records Clerk, Lancaster County, effective May 14, 2012.
Mayra Maravilla, Records Clerk, Dawson County, effective May 21, 2012.
Lindsey Roby, Assistant Clerk II, Lancaster County, effective May 23, 2012.
Katie Wilson, Records Clerk, Hall County, effective May 23, 2012.

New Probation Personnel
Ed Collins, District Data Analyst, Districts #1, #3J, and #3A, Beatrice and Lincoln, effective May 1, 2012.
Traci Kindig, part-time Assistant Probation Officer and part-time Probation Officer, District #4A, Omaha, effective June 1, 2012.
Kristy Furey, Case Monitor, District #4A, Omaha, effective June 1, 2012.
KiKi Haakenstad, Juvenile Justice Quality Compliance Reviewer, Office of Probation Administration, Lincoln, effective June 6, 2012.
Cortney Dail, Treatment Probation Officer, District #4J, Juvenile Omaha, effective July 2, 2012.
James Selmon-Vasser, Treatment Probation Officer, District #4J, Juvenile Omaha, effective July 2, 2012.
Nicole Ward, Treatment Probation Officer, District #4J, Juvenile Omaha, effective July 2, 2012.
Jan Johansen, Juvenile Justice Resource Supervisor, District #11, North Platte, effective July 2, 2012.
Richard Pope, Treatment Probation Officer, District #4J, Juvenile Omaha, effective July 2, 2012.
Amanda VanAsperen, Problem-Solving Court Probation Officer, District #1, Wilber, effective July 2, 2012.

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Through the Eyes of a Child Initiative
Nebraska Children Assisted in Adjusting to Court Setting
When children attend court hearings, they can be confused or anxious about what is happening. To provide a measure of comfort, Nebraska judges are giving children booklets to help explain the court process.

“These booklets give children who are coming to court a familiar outlet that can relieve their stress, explain in part how the system works, and most importantly let them be themselves while reminding the rest of us why we are there,” said Judge Larry Gendler, Separate Juvenile Court in Sarpy County.

Click to view the following press releases:
• Judge Gendler
• Judge Roland
• Judge Clark

Legal Information Program Curriculum Debuts at Sidney Library
The Pro Se Committee of the Nebraska Supreme Court launched their librarian education program in Sidney in early May.  The Sidney Public Library hosted a regional education session called “Navigating the Waters of Legal Information and Self-Help for Library Patrons.” Librarians and court staff from surrounding communities attended a one-hour seminar at the invitation of Library Director Doris Jensen.  Educators Janet Bancroft, Nebraska Supreme Court Public Information Officer, and Doris Huffman, Executive Director of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation, were joined by Judge Randin Roland; local court staff; and Sidney attorney Tom Sonntag. Participants reviewed the Judicial Branch Legal Self-Help Web page and other online resources designed to assist people representing themselves in Nebraska courts.

The project is supported in part by the Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). It is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.

Additional library visits are scheduled this summer in North Central and Western Nebraska.

Photo: Sidney Librarian, Doris Jensen, talks with Cheyenne County Clerk of the District Court Debra Hume following library session.

Judicial Ethics Committee
The Judicial Ethics Committee recently issued an opinion in answer to the following question (click on the opinion number to view):

12-4: May a clerk magistrate accept donations from a community fundraiser to help defray her extensive medical bills because of illness?

Judicial Resources Commission
The Judicial Resources Commission met June 5, 2012, and approved Broken Bow as the primary office for the vacancy in the 8th Judicial District County Court and tabled the county court vacancy question in the 12th Judicial District until the fall annual meeting.  The Committee is also recommending to the Legislature that an additional judgeship be created and funded for the Douglas County Separate Juvenile Court.

Click here to read the Commission minutes.

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Rules Regarding Numbers of Copies Required to be submitted to Nebraska Appellate Courts

• Reduces number of copies to be filed with court

Neb. Ct. R. §§ 2-102, 2-106, 2-107, 2-109, 2-113, 2-115, and 2-116 (Nebraska Court Rules of Appellate Practice)
(adopted June 6, 2012)

Appointment, Status, Continuing Education of interpreters

• Adds Probation to the Supreme Court rule
• Requires continuing education to maintain certified or registered status as an interpreter

 
Neb. Ct. R. ch. 6, art. 7 and appendix 2 (Interpreters in Court)
(adopted May 16, 2012, effective July 1, 2012

Protection of personal and financial information in court records

• Allows access to protected information by written court order or by agreement between government agencies approved by Supreme Court  

Neb. Ct. R. § 6-1464(B) and appendix 10, § 6-1521(B) and appendix 4, and § 6-1701 (Uniform County Court/District Court/Separate Juvenile Court Rules of Practice and Procedure)
(adopted May 16, 2012)
Changes to Plaintiff’s Claim and Notice to Defendant Form for Small Claims

• Updates form to show appeal will be reviewed for error not tried again

Neb. Ct. R. ch.6, art. 14, appendix 4 (Uniform County Court Rules of Practice and Procedure)
(adopted May 9, 2012)

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2012 (holidays in red)
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.
• 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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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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