Flag of the State of Nebraska

The Guide to Nebraska Courts


The Nebraska trial court system consists of District Courts, County Courts, Juvenile Courts, and The Workers' Compensation Court.
 
District Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, but usually only hear cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. County Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases. Juvenile Courts exist in some areas of the state and exercise limited jurisdiction over juvenile matters. The Workers' Compensation Court has limited jurisdiction over claims based on the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act.

Find court records by county Find court records by town or zip code Find court resources by category Find court records in other states
Please select a Nebraska county below to view directory of all courts with links to court record resources for each court. Find Nebraska court pages by Town or Zip Code. Select a court record or online resource category below to view all resources at both the statewide and county level. Go to the court records pages for another state.
 


 

Nebraska District Courts

District Courts have general jurisdiction over all types of cases but usually handle cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts.

Criminal cases heard by District Courts include felonies and lesser-included offenses.

Civil cases heard by District Courts include general civil claims for more than $51,000. The financial limit on civil case jurisdiction is reviewed every fifth year and may vary over time.

District Courts also hear most domestic relations cases and appeals from administrative agency decisions. District Courts share some jurisdiction over certain types of domestic relations cases with County Courts.

Nebraska County Courts

County Courts have limited jurisdiction over certain types of civil and criminal cases, including probate, juvenile, domestic relations and general civil claims.

Criminal cases heard by County Courts include misdemeanors, infractions and most violations of city and village ordinances.

Civil cases heard by County Courts include general civil claims for less than $51,000. The financial limit on civil case jurisdiction is reviewed every fifth year and may vary over time. Each County Court has a Small Claims division for most general civil claims withing certain financial limits.

County Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over most probate matters, most adoptions, and all juvenile matters if a separate Juvenile Court does not exist in the area. County Courts share jurisdiction with District Courts for certain types of cases, including some domestic relations cases.

Nebraska Juvenile Courts

Juvenile Court have jurisdiction over all juvenile matters and may handle some domestic relations cases that concern the care, custody or support for minor children.

In counties without Juvenile Courts, juvenile matters are heard by a County Court.

Nebraska currently has three separate Juvenile Courts.

Nebraska The Workers' Compensation Court

The Workers' Compensation Court has statewide jurisdiction over cases related to workplace accidents and illnesses.

Workers Compensation Court judges travel throughout the State to handle claims made under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act.

Nebraska Court Notes

Nebraska is in the process of adding divisions to existing courts for certain types of criminal and juvenile cases to focus on substance abuse rehabilitation.

Nebraska currently has Problem-Solving Court divisions in most districts, including Adult Drug Courts, Family Drug Courts, a Young Adult Drug Court, and Juvenile Drug Courts.

Where to find court cases in Nebraska

The chart below gives general information on the types of cases heard in each type of court in Nebraska.
 

Most Cases = Most or all cases.     Some Cases = Some cases.

Case Type Court Type
CivilDistrict CourtsCounty CourtsJuvenile Courts
General Civil - Unlimited
Most or all General Civil - Unlimited cases can be found in the District Courts
  
General Civil - Limited
Some General Civil - Limited cases can be found in the District Courts
Some General Civil - Limited cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Small Claims 
Most or all Small Claims cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Civil Equity
Most or all Civil Equity cases can be found in the District Courts
  
Complex Commercial
Most or all Complex Commercial cases can be found in the District Courts
  
Foreclosures and Liens
Some Foreclosures and Liens cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Foreclosures and Liens cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Real Estate Title and Boundary
Some Real Estate Title and Boundary cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Real Estate Title and Boundary cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Landlord / Tenant 
Most or all Landlord / Tenant cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Ordinance Violations 
Most or all Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders
Some Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Administrative Agency Appeals
Most or all Administrative Agency Appeals cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Administrative Agency Appeals cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Administrative Agency Appeals cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
CriminalDistrict CourtsCounty CourtsJuvenile Courts
Felony
Most or all Felony cases can be found in the District Courts
  
Felony Preliminary Hearings
Some Felony Preliminary Hearings cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Felony Preliminary Hearings cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Misdemeanors
Some Misdemeanors cases can be found in the District Courts
Most or all Misdemeanors cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Ordinance Violations 
Most or all Ordinance Violations cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Juvenile 
Some Juvenile cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Juvenile cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
Traffic and Infractions 
Most or all Traffic and Infractions cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Domestic RelationsDistrict CourtsCounty CourtsJuvenile Courts
Divorce
Most or all Divorce cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Divorce cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Child Custody and Visitation
Most or all Child Custody and Visitation cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Child Custody and Visitation cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Child Custody and Visitation cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
Child Support
Most or all Child Support cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Child Support cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Child Support cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
Paternity
Most or all Paternity cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Paternity cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Paternity cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
Domestic Violence Protection Order
Some Domestic Violence Protection Order cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Domestic Violence Protection Order cases can be found in the County Courts
 
JuvenileDistrict CourtsCounty CourtsJuvenile Courts
Adoptions 
Most or all Adoptions cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Adoptions cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
Juvenile Delinquency 
Some Juvenile Delinquency cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Juvenile Delinquency cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
Child Abuse and Neglect 
Some Child Abuse and Neglect cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Child Abuse and Neglect cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
Termination of Parental Rights 
Some Termination of Parental Rights cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Termination of Parental Rights cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
Children in Need of Supervision 
Some Children in Need of Supervision cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Children in Need of Supervision cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
Mental HealthDistrict CourtsCounty CourtsJuvenile Courts
Involuntary Commitments 
Some Involuntary Commitments cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Other Mental Health Cases
Some Other Mental Health Cases cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Other Mental Health Cases cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Other Mental Health Cases cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts
ProbateDistrict CourtsCounty CourtsJuvenile Courts
Wills & Estates 
Most or all Wills & Estates cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Name Changes
Some Name Changes cases can be found in the District Courts
Some Name Changes cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Trusts
Some Trusts cases can be found in the District Courts
Most or all Trusts cases can be found in the County Courts
 
Guardianships and Conservatorships 
Most or all Guardianships and Conservatorships cases can be found in the County Courts
Some Guardianships and Conservatorships cases can be found in the Juvenile Courts

Note: Some courts in Nebraska are not included in the chart above. Please use the following links for descriptions and types of cases heard:
 
  The Workers\' Compensation Court


© Online Searches, LLC 2008 - 2010. Your use of this site indicates agreement to the terms of use.
We strive to provide accurate information, however, Courtreference.com is not an official source of information for any court or court clerk.
No legal advice is offered here and this site is not an alternative to competent legal counsel.