Nebraska Judiciary Considers Workload, Mental Health
Nebraska’s courts have made strides toward expanding access and improving efficiency over the past year, the state’s chief justice told lawmakers last Wednesday.
The result has been expanded services and programming by the Nebraska Judicial Branch and the furthering of the state’s commitment to providing equal justice for all citizens, Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican said during his annual State of the Judiciary address to the Legislature.
“The Nebraska Judicial Branch remains committed to the delivery of justice in a fair and timely manner,” Heavican said in prepared remarks. “We will carry out this mission efficiently, while continuing to provide equal access for all Nebraska citizens.”
As part of that commitment to providing access to justice, courts remained open during last year’s historic flooding with few exceptions, Heavican said, maintaining “full court services during these devastating weather events.”
State of Judiciary 2020 from Nebraska Judicial Branch on Vimeo.
The Judicial Branch also partnered with Northeast Community College in Norfolk to provide a no-cost adult education course for aspiring court reporters. It plans to expand the Court’s Language Access Program in the future.
“One of the challenges we are currently facing is the shortage of certified court interpreters, both in Nebraska and nationally,” Heavican said. “This program is the first of its kind in the nation and is proving to be very successful.”
The Access to Justice Commission held public engagement sessions last year with tribal, state, and federal as well as Nebraska’s Native American communities. A second session is planned later this year in northwest Nebraska.
The Court Improvement Project partnered with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to increase reunifications of children with their parents in Dawson, Lancaster and Madison counties, Heavican said.
“The design was prompted by the actions of Judge Jeff Wightman of Lexington and has been implemented by Judge Linda Porter of Lincoln and Judge Ross Stoffer of Norfolk,” he said.
To support the Office of Public Guardian, the Nebraska Supreme Court recently simplified over 150 guardianship and conservatorship forms at the recommendation of the Commission on Guardianships and Conservatorships.
“In addition to maintaining our regular caseloads, the judiciary is consistently involved in local and regional educational events throughout the year,” Heavican said. “Judges often turn their courtrooms into classrooms when contacted by educators within their jurisdictions.”
The Nebraska Judicial Branch has worked on preparedness in the event of a pandemic, hosting the National State Court Summit on Pandemic Preparedness at the University of Nebraska Medical Center last May.
“According to national experts, a pandemic is not just possible – it is highly probable,” Heavican said. “Nebraska judges are now better prepared for the need to respond quickly and efficiently to pandemic quarantines and related legal issues.”
Nebraska has also added to its problem-solving courts, which operate in all 12 judicial districts. Heavican said that, in the coming months, the Nebraska Supreme Court plans to review best practice standards for proposed mental health treatment courts.
“Between 2015 and 2019, the number of problem-solving court participants has increased by 31%,” he said. “These courts effectively reduce recidivism and increase community safety, while being very cost-effective.”
The Nebraska Judicial Branch is also working on a judicial workload study, intended to assist lawmakers in allocating judicial resources across the state.
For a video and transcript of Heavican’s speech, as well as the Judicial Branch’s annual report, visit omahadailyrecord.com.
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