What do different judges do?

County Court

County court is the lowest court and has 59 judges across 12 districts. The judges rule on civil cases — such as housing issues or injuries — with less than $57,000 at stake, small claims worth less than $3,900 and misdemeanor cases such as traffic violations. People with disputes regarding guardianship, conservatorship or adoption will also present their case to the court, and judges hear cases regarding issues with property ownership and a deceased person’s will . 

Additionally, they hold the preliminary hearing in felony cases. County courts also serve as juvenile courts, except in Sarpy, Lancaster and Douglas counties, which have their own separate juvenile courts.

There are 12 judges up for retention.

Separate Juvenile Courts

The three separate juvenile courts are in Nebraska’s three most populous counties. Juvenile court handles cases involving “neglected, dependent and delinquent children,” according to the Nebraska Judicial Branch.

A total of six juvenile court judges are up for retention.

District Court

The district courts are a level higher than the county courts. The 58 judges across 12 districts will hear felony cases, domestic relations cases and civil cases with more than $57,000 at stake. Additionally, they serve as an appellate court for appeals in most county court cases.

There are 13 judges up for retention across five districts.

Workers’ Compensation Court

These judges hear cases from across the state pertaining to health concerns caused by someone’s workplace. One is up for retention. 

Nebraska Court of Appeals

Before most cases are appealed to the Supreme Court, they must go through the Court of Appeals. The six judges on this court represent six respective districts. They will hear all cases except for those regarding the constitutionality of a law or a life imprisonment sentence or death penalty. None of these judges are up for retention. 

Nebraska Supreme Court

The highest court in Nebraska is the state Supreme Court. All seven justices — including a justice for each of the six districts and a statewide justice — hear cases regarding the constitutionality of a law, a life imprisonment sentence or death penalty. They also admit lawyers to the Nebraska State Bar Association and oversee disciplinary measures for attorneys. 

One justice is up for retention.

What’s the big deal?

Judges will impact the rulings of civil disputes, make decisions regarding children’s guardianship, hold workplaces responsible if they are damaging employees’ health and determine if a challenged law should be upheld. 

In just the past year, the Nebraska Supreme Court upheld the state’s 12-week abortion ban in the face of a legal challenge. It also determined that voters should have a say on two competing abortion ballot measures, as well as a ballot measure seeking to repeal part of a school choice law. Separate lawsuits sought to have each measure tossed off the general election ballot, but the justices rejected those challenges.