A Letter From the Chief Justice
Dear Judges, Team Members and the Community,
Over one and a half years ago I participated in the Nebraska Children’s Summit in Nebraska City. I was present for the creation of the Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative, a collaborative effort between all participants involved in the abuse/neglect court system. Since that time I have heard countless anecdotes of the important, beneficial work that local teams and the Initiative are doing on behalf of Nebraska’s children. Practices have been put into place to schedule court hearings more rapidly, resulting in abused and neglected children being placed in permanent, safe, and stable homes as quickly as possible.
Earlier this year, I gave the 2008 State of the Judiciary address to the Nebraska Legislature. As the well-being of our State’s children is one of my primary concerns, the Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative was prominently highlighted.
Spotlight IssueImmigration Issues in Nebraska Juvenile CourtsThe issue of immigration has moved into the spotlight in Nebraska and all indications suggest that it will be a significant issue for the next several years. Groups and governmental entities have narrowed their focus and analysis to specific issues of immigration, such as granting or prohibiting qualified undocumented immigrants in-state tuition at state colleges or imposing taxes on remittances. But perhaps at the forefront of the immigration spotlight in Nebraska has been the raid by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in 2007 at a meat-packing plant in Grand Island. As has Schuyler, Lexington and Norfolk, Grand Island has seen a rise in its population of immigrants due to increases in need for unskilled labor. After the Grand Island raid, there were numerous commentaries from national groups about the rights of the detained workers, the conduct of ICE, and the correct deportation process. There was also discussion about the consequences the absence of a salary-providing head of household would cause...
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Spotlight Team12th District - Team 2According to Judge Randin Roland, Lead Judge of 12th District – Team 2 of the Through the Eyes of the Child Initiative, team collaboration has allowed cases to get resolved more efficiently and effectively. His local team of approximately 30 individuals who are involved in the abuse/neglect court system in a myriad of ways, whether through substance abuse counseling, mental health services, legal representation of parents, children, and the county, foster parenting or representing HHS, have been meeting monthly to address systemic and procedural barriers that are impacting children under their care. 
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Latest Caselaw Updates
- In re Interest of Brittany M., et al
Filed on April 1, 2008
Memorandum Opinion, not designated for permanent publication
A07-719
SUMMARY: Admitting evidence involving sexual abuse of the children by the parents in a termination of parental rights trial where sexual abuse was not a basis for termination was not in error because such evidence is relevant to whether termination is in the best interests [...] - In re Interest of Justyce J.
Filed on Tuesday February 26th, 2008
Unpublished Memorandum Opinion and Judgment on AppealA-07-878
SUMMARY: Affirming the juvenile court’s termination of parental rights, the Court held that the multiple rib fractures and two subdural hematomas of differing ages in the infant child which all would have required a significant amount of force to occur supported the factor required [...] - In re Interest of Hailey M.
Filed on Feb. 5th 2008
Nebraska Court of Appeals
15 Neb. App. 323“Termination of parental rights is justified if a parent has committed murder of another child of the parent; committed voluntary manslaughter of another child of the parent; aided or abetted, attempted, conspired or solicited to commit murder, or aided abetted voluntary manslaughter of the juvenile [...]
- In re Interest of Hailey M.
Filed on Tuesday Feb. 5th 2008
Not designated for permanent publicationA-07-604, A-07-605
SUMMARY: Because the court did not place the children in the father’s sister’s home as recommended by DHHS, proper appeal of the placement order is to the juvenile review panel and because no request for review was made the appellate court therefore lacks jurisdiction. [...] - In re Interest of Walter W.
Friday, 18 January 2008
274 Neb. 859, __ N.W.2d ___
S-07-393
SUMMARY: In termination of parental rights cases involving NICWA, the “serious emotional and physical damage” element is the only element that has the higher burden of “beyond a reasonable doubt” as required by statute; all other elements, including active efforts and the best interests standard, need only [...]
