Nebraska Arrest Records

Nebraska arrest records are official recordings of arrest events and related files within the state. Such records might include the arrestee's personal information and arrest details like the date, location, and charges. Arresting officers in Nebraska conduct arrests when there's sufficient proof that a person committed a crime. Arrestees are temporarily detained in a local jail pending the outcome of further investigations.

Local law enforcement agencies mostly create arrest records after an arrest event. The agencies may store the records as police reports or incident reports. To access records, residents may contact regional or city agencies, such as the Omaha Police Department, the Cherry County Sheriff's Office, or the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.

Are Arrest Records Public in Nebraska?

Yes, most arrest records in Nebraska are accessible to the public. The Nebraska Public Record Statutes legalize public access to records generated by government entities. Public members may inspect or obtain copies of the record by using the options or resources provided by these entities.

Nevertheless, certain arrest records are not publicly accessible. The state law prevents unauthorized access to records whose disclosure is deemed to violate the privacy or safety of concerned parties. For example, arrest records concerning minors are sealed by court orders. Other non-public arrest records include the following:

• Personal information of private individuals
• Records sealed by court order
• Records relating to ongoing investigations
• Victim/witness information.

Nebraska Arrest Statistics

The FBI's Crime Data Explorer maintains yearly reports on arrest events in Nebraska. According to the report, Nebraska's law enforcement agencies recorded 47,750 arrests in 2023. The report also revealed that drug/narcotics and driving under the influence (DUIs) were the most reported crimes, at 7,187 and 5,149, respectively. Furthermore, the report features information on arrest details for other offense types.

Nebraska 2023 Arrest Statistics

What is Included in Nebraska Arrest Records?

Nebraska arrest records typically contain the following data:

• Arrestee's identifying information, such as the birth name and address.
• Arrestee's physical description, such as height and body markings.
• Alleged offense and crime classification.
• Arrest and booking information, such as the booking date and bond amount.
• Arrest date, time, and location.
• The arresting law enforcement agency and sometimes the arresting officer's name.
• Bail amount.
• Outstanding warrants.
• Circumstances around an arrest event.

Find Public Arrest Records in Nebraska

Interested individuals may find public arrest records by using resources provided by local law enforcement agencies, like county sheriff's offices or municipal police departments. There are various methods of finding arrest records in Nebraska. These methods comprise online search platforms, mail-in, and in-person requests. Irrespective of these options, interested parties may find arrest records by following these general steps:

1. Identify the Records Custodian: Determine which law enforcement agency made the arrest. This is crucial because sheriff's offices or police departments only maintain custody of records within their jurisdiction.
2. Determine Request Procedures and Fees: Most local law enforcement agencies' websites provide information or instructions on how to access public records. In the absence of such information, inquirers may call the agency regarding the guidelines or procedures. Most agency websites have a "Contact Us" page where you may access the contact information. On the other hand, inquirers may use the search box in the top right corner to locate important information on these websites.
3. Submit a Public Record Request for Arrest Records: Local law enforcement agencies in Nebraska typically offer various methods for requesting arrest records, including in-person, mail, and online options. For in-person requests, individuals may visit the agency's physical location during business hours to look up or make copies of the arrest records of that particular law enforcement division. Alternatively, record seekers may send a written request via mail to the designated mailing address of the local law enforcement division requesting access to arrest records in their custody. Additionally, some arresting agencies provide an online portal for submitting public arrest record requests. In any way, all requestors may supply sufficient information to facilitate the search, such as the subject's name or arrest date.
4. Pay Applicable Fees: Nebraska's public agencies typically charge a nominal fee of $12.50 to produce copies of public records, including arrest reports. Inquirers are typically required to attach the fee with a written request for records. Government agencies sometimes often grant fee waivers if the record request serves a public good.

Obtaining Sealed Arrest Records

Not all arrest records are accessible to the public. Persons seeking to access non-public or confidential arrest information may need to subpoena the record.

A subpoena is a written order issued by a court that compels an individual or entity to testify or provide evidence on a particular subject at a specified date. Inquirers are usually required to follow these steps to subpoena a non-public or restricted arrest record in the state:

1. Submit a request to the county's court clerk to issue a subpoena.
2. The subpoena must contain the full name and address of the local law enforcement agency being served.
3. Serve the subpoena on the agency via any of the following options:
   • In person.
   • Email (with a request for acknowledgment receipt)
   • Certified mail (with a request for return receipt).

If the subpoena requests an individual's presence, the serving party may charge fees for attendance and mileage. Failure to respond to a subpoena is considered contempt of court, and penalties, such as monetary sanctions and imprisonment, may result.

How to Look Up Arrest Records Online in Nebraska

In Nebraska, residents may look up arrest records through official and third-party resources. Official sources comprise online lists or databases maintained by law enforcement agencies and jail facilities. For example, individuals may use the Cass County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster to look up and find information on recent arrestees. Inquirers may access records on the platform by inputting the arrestee's name or release status. The database reveals arrest information, such as arrest charges and booking dates.

Alternatively, several third-party websites allow online access to Nebraska arrest records. These sites may feature arrest information and other related files, like criminal and inmate records. To access records, inquirers might only need to provide the arrestee's name and arrest location. Unlike official resources, third-party websites are not operated by government entities. Thus, they may not contain accurate arrest information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Nebraska?

The duration of arrests on your records varies and may depend on the crime type and outcome. For instance, an arrest will remain indefinitely on public records if it led to a criminal conviction. However, dismissed or dropped arrest charges have a lifespan that is mostly determined by the type of crime for which the arrest was made.

Irrespective of the crime type and outcome, you may legally remove arrest records by following the state's legal procedure. The procedure may include waiting after a specific timeframe and filing a petition with a court of competent jurisdiction.

Note: There is a distinction between sealing and expungement in Nebraska. Sealing removes the record from public view, while expungement destroys the record. The eligibility criteria for sealing or expungement may vary based on the specific offense or the individual's criminal history.

Expunge an Arrest Record in Nebraska

Expungement is a legal process for removing arrest or criminal conviction records from publicly available databases. Per NRS Section 29-3523, an individual may seal or expunge their arrest record. Expungement or sealing removes the record from public domains. To expunge arrest records, the state laws require arrestees to fulfill the following criteria:

• The arrest charges did not lead to a court conviction.
• The arrest charges were dismissed.
• You received a conviction for being subjected to sex trafficking.
• The arrest charges or conviction were pardoned.

Note: The state automatically seals arrest charges that were dismissed or acquitted before December 31, 2016.

Besides these requirements, arrestees may wait for a specific timeframe. The timeframe may vary based on the crime outcome and type. Offenders are eligible to seal arrest records if:

• It has been more than one year since you were arrested, and the charges were dropped.
• It has been more than two years since you completed a diversion program.
• It has been more than three years since the court dismissed the arrest charges.
• You were arrested due to a mistake or identity impersonation.

Eligible parties may seal arrest records by using these steps:

1. First, fill out the Motion to Seal an Adult Criminal Record. You need this data to fill out the form:
   1. Your personal information, including full names, email address, and physical address.
   2. Case-related information, such as the following:
   3. Case number.
   4. The county where the charges were filed.
   5. Arrest date.
   6. Offense and criminal classification.
   7. Outcome of the charges (acquitted or dismissed).
2. If the above-listed information is unknown, you may request copies of criminal and court records from designated custodians. The Nebraska State Patrol provides access to criminal history records, while the state's judicial branch offers online access to court records.
3. File the completed form in the court where the case was heard. Note that the court clerks may have different rules regarding how to file the form.

Upon receiving the form, the court will notify the city or county attorney of your decision to seal. The court will then set up a hearing date to review the petition and make appropriate decisions. If the petition is granted, the court will issue an order to expunge and send them to all agencies holding the record.

The public does not have the right to view or access expunged or sealed arrest records. However, the record subject and specific agencies still retain the right to view and obtain such records.

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Nebraska?

The public may find recent arrests in Nebraska through the county sheriff or local police department. Some law enforcement divisions in the state provide arrest logs of arrests that were made within a specific period, usually within a few hours to a few days. For example, the Sarpy County Law Enforcement Center publishes recent arrest and booking logs, while the Norfolk Police Department publishes daily arrest logs.

Are Nebraska Arrest Records Free?

In Nebraska, interested parties may access arrest logs and online arrest records for free. Some government websites provide free access to these records. Inquirers only need to provide relevant search information to view the data. Alternatively, inquirers may view arrest records in person for free at a custodian agency's physical location. Note that the agency may charge fees for retrieving and producing copies of requested records.
Third-party search websites may also provide free access to basic arrest information. However, users may pay fees to view and download comprehensive or updated records.