Nebraska Public Records /Nebraska Court Records Online

Nebraska Court Records Online

Are Court Records in Nebraska Open to the Public?

Yes, Nebraska court records are open to the public under the Nebraska Public Records Law. This law allows citizens and interested parties to inspect and obtain copies of public records from government bodies. To request these records, individuals must provide specific details about the records they seek, such as the type of case, the court where it was filed, and any relevant names or case numbers. It is not mandatory to state the purpose of the request. However, certain records are exempt from disclosure, including law enforcement investigations, trade secrets, medical records, and security-related documents. If access is denied, individuals can petition the state Attorney General to determine if the records are exempt or if the custodian is not complying with the law.

What Information Appears in a Nebraska Court Records Search?

A Nebraska court records search may reveal the following information:

Case details
Court costs
Party listings
Payments
Register of actions
Calendars and schedules
Reports and statistical data

How To Find Court Records in Nebraska

To find court records in Nebraska, start by identifying the court where the records are filed. Courthouses in Nebraska maintain records of civil trials, misdemeanor cases, divorce proceedings, traffic citations, and felony cases. These records can be accessed online or at the courthouses.

Online access is available through systems like JUSTICE and the Nebraska Judgment Case Search. These platforms require a subscription and may involve fees for detailed information. For instance, the JUSTICE system charges $15 per search, and the Nebraska Judgment Case Search charges $1 per detailed case view. In-person requests at courthouses may also incur nominal copying fees.

Public Access to Nebraska Court Records

Interested individuals can utilize the JUSTICE one-time court case search system to access court cases filed in Nebraska's District and County Courts. This system allows remote access to public information on up to 30 court cases for a fee of $15 per search. Subscribers to Nebraska.gov can view additional documents online. The Nebraska Judgment Case Search offers free search results for general case information, but detailed views cost $1 per case.

Searching Nebraska Court Records by Name

To search for Nebraska court records by name, individuals can use the Case Information e-service for multiple searches or the Justice One-Time Court Case Search for a single search by party name. The latter costs $15 and returns up to 30 records. However, only case information is available through this service, and viewing court documents requires a Nebraska.gov subscription.

Subscribers can perform name-based searches on platforms like JUSTICE, which provides detailed case information. Users must provide the name of a party involved in the case and may use additional criteria to narrow the search. The data retrieved is accessible for three days, with a 24-hour delay for new entries.

How To Access Court Records Online for Free in Nebraska

To access Nebraska court records online for free, individuals can use the General Searches icon on the Nebraska Judicial Branch Website. This service is available to those with a subscriber account, which costs $100 per year. Viewing case details costs $1, but accessing document images is free.

Another option is to conduct searches using judgment dates and case numbers. These searches also cost $1, with no additional fees for accessing document images. While third-party websites offer easier searches, they may not be as comprehensive as government sources.

Exemptions for Nebraska Court Case Lookup

Certain information is exempt from public disclosure in Nebraska, including:

Personal information of students
Medical records
Trade secrets
Academic and scientific research work
Identity of alleged sexual assault victims
Security standards, plans, and procedures

Records and information not accessible due to case law, court rules, or state laws include:

Adoption case records
Sealed court records
Criminal histories under the Criminal History Information Privacy, Security, and Dissemination Act

These exemptions ensure that sensitive information remains confidential and protected.

Finding a Court Docket in Nebraska

A Nebraska court docket is an official record of all hearings and filings in a case, maintained by the court clerk or judge. It includes the case number, names of parties, judge, attorneys, and a summary of each document filed.

To obtain a court docket, contact the court clerk where the case was filed. The docket system tracks all cases, providing a useful starting point for understanding case details and proceedings.

What Information Is Found in Nebraska Judgment Records?

Nebraska judgment records include the following information:

Litigants' names
Judge's name
Specific claims of the parties involved
Issued judgment

These records are created when a court issues a judgment in a criminal or civil case and are maintained by the court clerk. They are available to the public under the Nebraska Public Records Law.

Are Bankruptcy Records in Nebraska Publicly Accessible?

Bankruptcy records in Nebraska are publicly accessible under the Nebraska Public Records Statutes. These records include documents compiled by the bankruptcy court when a debtor files a petition. To request bankruptcy records, individuals must provide the debtor's name, case number, filing location, and date.

Requests can be made via mail, phone, or email, with fees for searching and copying records. Bankruptcy records detail the debtor's assets, income, liabilities, and creditor information.

How To Search Bankruptcy Records in Nebraska

To find bankruptcy records in Nebraska, contact the clerk's office of the bankruptcy court where the case was filed or search the federal public online database known as PACER. Requests can be made via mail, phone, or email, with fees for searching and copying records.

Individuals need to provide the debtor's name, case number, filing location, and filing date. Fees include $0.10 per paper copy at public access terminals and $0.50 per page for copies.

Different Types of Courts in Nebraska

Nebraska's judicial system includes several types of courts:

Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
District Courts
County Courts
Separate Juvenile Courts
Workers' Compensation Court

Each court has specific responsibilities and jurisdictions, ensuring a comprehensive legal system.

Understanding the Differences Between Civil and Small Claims Courts in Nebraska

Nebraska Small Claims Courts, a division of County Courts, resolve minor disputes involving amounts less than $3,900. These courts handle civil actions such as property damage, money owed, and personal property disputes. Legal representation is not required, and parties present their arguments directly to the judge.

Filing a small claims case involves completing a claim form and submitting it to the County Court clerk. Costs are outlined by the Nebraska Judicial Branch, and there are limits on the number of cases one can file. Defendants can request to transfer cases to regular civil court for a more formal hearing.

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