Lawyers in Nebraska

The hierarchy of the judicial branch of Nebraska consists of the Supreme Court, the court of appeals, the district courts, and the county courts. Additionally, there are two domain-specific courts in the form of the separate juvenile courts and the workers’ compensation court. While the supreme court reviews the contested decisions meted out by the lower courts, it hears all appellate cases that relate to the death penalty, life imprisonment, constitutional questions, etc. Among the lower courts, all civil and criminal cases are tried by the district courts. The county courts have limited jurisdictions. They deal with cases relating to small claims, conservatorship, guardianship, probate, adoption, and municipal ordinance violation. County courts are also responsible for conducting preliminary hearings in felony criminal cases. The county courts and district courts of the state have concurrent jurisdiction when it comes to cases relating to divorce and some other civil cases that involve a monetary worth of $57,000 or less. 

The separate judicial courts in the state of Nebraska are only located in the three counties of Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy. In all other counties, county courts deal with matters that come under the purview of the juvenile justice system. The workers’ compensation court in the state of Nebraska deals with cases that come under the jurisdiction of Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Courts. The judgments delivered in these courts are mostly related to workers’ compensation claims owing to occupational injuries or occupational illnesses.

As per the latest numbers available, the total number of active resident lawyers in the state of Nebraska is more than 5,500. For every 10,000 population of the state, the state has nearly 29 active residents. 

The Nebraska state bar association, on behalf of the judicial system in the state, works towards making legal services more accessible in the state. Apart from helping the lawyers to achieve their potential in terms of them meeting the benchmarks of competence, professionalism, and ethics, the Bar association also ensures that the justice-delivery system in the state remains responsive and inclusive.  

For the general public in the state, the Nebraska bar association offers a wide range of services and assistance programs. For example, the NE Free Legal Answers is a free legal advice clinic to be accessed by the low-income group of Nebraskans. However, the facility is only applicable for non-criminal cases. One needs to be a minimum of 18 years of age and a resident of the state of Nebraska, whose household income meets the poverty income guidelines of the state, to qualify for assistance under this program.

The state bar of Nebraska also runs a pro bono program by the name of Volunteer Lawyers’ Project or the VLP to equip the underprivileged, low-income population of the state with information, assistance, and representation.  Other than these specific services, people may also connect with the state bar to file complaints against an attorney, to report unauthorized practices of law, to complain against a judge, to ask for fee arbitration, to claim reimbursement from the client protection funds, and more.

The hierarchy of the judicial branch of Nebraska consists of the Supreme Court, the court of appeals, the district courts, and the county courts. Additionally, there are two domain-specific courts in the form of the separate juvenile courts and the workers’ compensation court. While the supreme court reviews the contested decisions meted out by the lower courts, it hears all appellate cases that relate to the death penalty, life imprisonment, constitutional questions, etc. Among the lower courts, all civil and criminal cases are tried by the district courts. The county courts have limited jurisdictions. They deal with cases relating to small claims, conservatorship, guardianship, probate, adoption, and municipal ordinance violation. County courts are also responsible for conducting preliminary hearings in felony criminal cases. The county courts and district courts of the state have concurrent jurisdiction when it comes to cases relating to divorce and some other civil cases that involve a monetary worth of $57,000 or less. 

The separate judicial courts in the state of Nebraska are only located in the three counties of Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy. In all other counties, county courts deal with matters that come under the purview of the juvenile justice system. The workers’ compensation court in the state of Nebraska deals with cases that come under the jurisdiction of Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Courts. The judgments delivered in these courts are mostly related to workers’ compensation claims owing to occupational injuries or occupational illnesses.

As per the latest numbers available, the total number of active resident lawyers in the state of Nebraska is more than 5,500. For every 10,000 population of the state, the state has nearly 29 active residents. 

The Nebraska state bar association, on behalf of the judicial system in the state, works towards making legal services more accessible in the state. Apart from helping the lawyers to achieve their potential in terms of them meeting the benchmarks of competence, professionalism, and ethics, the Bar association also ensures that the justice-delivery system in the state remains responsive and inclusive.  

For the general public in the state, the Nebraska bar association offers a wide range of services and assistance programs. For example, the NE Free Legal Answers is a free legal advice clinic to be accessed by the low-income group of Nebraskans. However, the facility is only applicable for non-criminal cases. One needs to be a minimum of 18 years of age and a resident of the state of Nebraska, whose household income meets the poverty income guidelines of the state, to qualify for assistance under this program.

The state bar of Nebraska also runs a pro bono program by the name of Volunteer Lawyers’ Project or the VLP to equip the underprivileged, low-income population of the state with information, assistance, and representation.  Other than these specific services, people may also connect with the state bar to file complaints against an attorney, to report unauthorized practices of law, to complain against a judge, to ask for fee arbitration, to claim reimbursement from the client protection funds, and more.