Adams County Arrest Records

In Adams County, arrest records comprise details of all arrest-related incidents. Inquirers generally receive such records from the county's local law enforcement authorities or other paperwork, such as criminal records. For example, Adams County court records may include arrest information when offenders' detainment results in court proceedings.

Are Arrest Records Public in Adams County?

Yes. According to Nebraska Revised Statutes § 84-712, state residents and other interested persons may access public records, including arrest records, unless specific exemptions apply. Consequently, the public may inspect or obtain copies of Adams County public arrest records during regular business hours.

Nonetheless, the Act restricts public access to certain records, including:

• Information related to ongoing criminal investigations that may interfere with law enforcement-related activities
• Records that may endanger the life or safety of individuals, including undercover officers, informants, or victims.
• Juvenile records.
• Records expunged or sealed by court order.
• Records of persons absolved of charges against them.
• Identifying information on victims of sexual assault or domestic violence.
• Private medical records, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive personal data.
• Information revealing law enforcement surveillance tactics and undercover operations.

Individuals seeking Adams County public arrest records may contact the Sheriff's Office at:

Suite 126
Main Floor Courthouse
Phone: (402) 461-7181

Adams County Arrest Statistics

A 5-year crime statistics by the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) revealed that the Adams County Sheriff's Office reported 1,079 arrests between 2020 and 2024. The gender distribution of the arrest data indicated that males constituted 72.94% (787) of all arrests, while females accounted for 27.06% (292) of all arrests within the period.

An analysis of the category of offenses law enforcement officers arrested suspects for between 2020 and 2024 showed that all other offenses asides traffic violations were the most prevalent, with 84.99% (917), followed by driving under the influence at 3.34% (36) and liquor law violations at 2.04% (22). Offenses against family and children accounted for 1.48% (16).

Find Adams County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking information about inmates at the state level may use the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) Incarceration Record Search tool. This search engine lets users locate inmates by their last name or DCS ID number. Typically, searches return results such as inmates' demographics (name, birth date, gender, race, and booking photograph), sentencing information (including parole and release details), and descriptions of the offenses.

Requesters may also access contact and locational details of specific NDCS correctional facilities through their website.

Information seekers may wish to use the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator tool to find inmates in federal custody. The platform permits searches for inmates by name or BOP register number.

Adams County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records are reports that explain situations where law enforcement took someone into custody for alleged unlawful activities. These documents contain information such as the suspect's data, charges, booking information, and arrest circumstances. Arrest records are usually accessible to the public, but may qualify for expungement or sealing if charges are dropped or dismissed after a particular timeframe.

Criminal records, also known as rap sheets, encompass an individual's complete criminal history, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentencing information. While most criminal records are considered public records in Nebraska, this does not include juvenile records, sealed or expunged cases, or charges that are dismissed after diversion programs.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Nebraska, arrest records will stay on an individual's record forever unless they qualify for expungement or sealing of such records.

Expungement of records rarely occurs in Nebraska. Only individuals with clear and convincing evidence that their arrest was due to a law enforcement error are eligible for expungement.

Individuals with arrest records may, however, qualify for record sealing under the following clean slate processes:

Adult record sealing: Prospective applicants who qualify under this category include those whose charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal, received a pardon, or have been a victim of human trafficking.

Juvenile record sealing: Juvenile records (for individuals under 18 years of age) are automatically sealed once the case is concluded. Additional steps may be required to have the court seal such records when the process is not automatic.

Criminal conviction set-asides: A set-aside does not erase one's conviction. It simply nullifies a previous conviction and restores specific civil rights. Someone with a conviction that has been set aside must still notify employers or landlords of such a conviction when asked. However, they may explain that the sentencing court subsequently nullified the sentence.

Pardons: This typically restores certain rights that set-asides do not cover, including the restoration of gun rights and other rights revoked after a felony conviction. A pardon granted by the Board of Pardons means that the Board has considered the convicted person's conduct since their sentencing worthy of restoring their rights. A pardon is the only method available for obtaining a clean slate for convictions that resulted in more than one year of imprisonment. Once a record has been pardoned, it is eligible to be sealed.

Adams County Arrest Warrants

In Adams County, arrest warrants are legal orders issued by a magistrate or judge authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest a specific individual.

Before issuing an arrest warrant, a magistrate or judge must determine that there is probable cause to believe that the person in question has committed a crime. This process is based on a written affidavit or oral statement provided under oath, as stated by Nebraska laws.

An arrest warrant is typically issued to a specific law enforcement officer or an officer referred to by their title, ensuring clarity on who is responsible for executing it.

An arrest warrant is often issued when there is reasonable evidence linking someone to a crime, when that person fails to appear in court as scheduled, or when law enforcement requires legal authority to take a suspect into custody for an alleged crime.

In Adams County, an arrest warrant typically includes the following details:

• A description of the person to be arrested.
• Information on whether the warrant is based on a written affidavit, oral statement, or both.
• The names of individuals providing affidavits or statements in support of the warrant.
• Directive to the officer to carry out the arrest and when they should execute it during daytime hours (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.) unless public interest requires otherwise.
• The magistrate or judge to whom it must be returned after execution.

Do Adams County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Adams County arrest warrants have no expiry date. If they did, offenders may be encouraged to avoid arrest or prosecution. The only way an arrest warrant can expire is if the wanted person appears before a judge, dies, or the judge revokes the warrant.