Douglas County Arrest Records

Arrests in Douglas County, Nebraska, are conducted by law enforcement agencies when there is probable cause to believe that an individual has committed a crime. This can include where an officer directly witnesses a crime, has a court-issued warrant, or receives credible information that leads to an arrest.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. It makes arrests and generates arrest records. There are other local police departments of municipalities in Douglas County that carry out arrests and generate arrest records. They include:

• Bennington Police Department
• Boys Town Police Department
• Elkhorn Police Department
• Omaha Police Department
• Ralston Police Department
• Valley Police Department
• Waterloo Police Department

Once an individual is arrested in Douglas County, they are held at the Douglas County Department of Corrections. This serves as the primary detention facility responsible for the incarceration of individuals awaiting trial, serving short sentences, or those who have been sentenced to longer terms but are awaiting transfer to a state prison.

Douglas County arrest records are part of a broader category of public records, which include documents and information generated by governmental agencies. Specifically, these arrest records can be linked to Douglas County Court Records in the context of judicial proceedings. These court records encompass a wide range of legal documents and case files that provide comprehensive details on the legal proceedings that follow an arrest, such as indictments, trial proceedings, and sentencing information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Douglas County?

In Douglas County, arrest records are generally considered public under the Nebraska National Freedom of Information and Public Records Law. This means that most information related to arrests is accessible to the public. These records typically include the arrested individual's name, the arrest date and time, the charges, and the arresting agency.

However, certain types of arrest information may be exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions relate to records containing protected information, such as:

• Juvenile records
• Personal information that will most likely lead to the violation of a person’s privacy
• Medical records;
• Trade secrets;
• On-going scientific research yet to be published;
• Records developed from an ongoing investigation;
• Drafts, notes, memoranda
• Records that are expressly excluded from public view by a statute or court order
• Information that could compromise ongoing investigations or the safety of individuals involved is often withheld.
• Information that could reveal the identity of confidential informants is protected.
• Personal information about victims, especially in sensitive cases such as sexual assault.

To access arrest records in Douglas County, individuals generally need to submit a request to the relevant law enforcement agency.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Douglas County contain the following information:

• Personal information of the arrested person - full name, date of birth, gender, description of physical traits.
• Arrest information - date, time, and location of the arrest, arresting agency (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Omaha Police Department), and arresting officer(s).
• Alleged offense committed - list of offenses allegedly committed by the person, classification of the charges (misdemeanor, felony), the law providing for the offense.
• Booking information - detention facility (Douglas County Department of Corrections), booking number or ID, and mugshot.
• Court information (if applicable) - case number and scheduled court dates.

Douglas County Crime Rate

The Nebraska Crime Commission maintains crime statistics for all of Nebraska, including Douglas County. In 2018, Douglas County reported a total number of 20,016 crimes. These included 2,732 violent crimes and 17,284 property crimes. The violent crimes reported included 24 homicides, 435 rapes, 462 robberies, and 1,811 aggravated assaults. The property crimes included 2,008 burglaries, 11,949 larcenies, 3,234 motor vehicle thefts, and 84 arson cases.

The crime statistics show larceny as the most occurring crime, followed by motor vehicle theft. Homicides were the least occurring crimes in the county in the reporting year.

Douglas County Arrest Statistics

According to the Nebraska Crime Commission, in 2022, Douglas County arrest statistics reveal a total number of 4,354 arrests, with 3,470 adult arrests and 736 juvenile arrests. The total number of arrests included 941 arrests for violent crimes and 3,413 arrests for property crimes.

The violent crimes included 24 murder arrests (20 adults and four juveniles), 112 rape arrests (86 adults and 26 juveniles), 203 robbery arrests (121 adults and 82 juveniles), and 602 aggravated assault arrests (566 adults and 36 juveniles). Regarding property crimes, there were 148 burglary arrests (127 adults and 21 juveniles), 3,033 larceny arrests (2,377 adults and 656 juveniles), 192 motor vehicle arrests (147 adults and 45 juveniles), and 40 arson arrests (26 adults and 14 juveniles).

Find Douglas County Arrest Records

Douglas County arrest records and inmate information is available by using the Inmate Locator provided by the Department of Corrections. This portal is searchable by last name, first name, or data number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Douglas County

The Inmate Locator provided by the Department of Corrections is available for free. It is searchable by last name, first name, or data number.

You can also search arrest records in Douglas County by using free third-party sites. However, note that although these sites may provide useful information, there are potential limitations and privacy concerns. Third-party sites may not have updated and correct information. Hence, third-party sites should be used with caution. Users should confirm the legitimacy of the site and be aware that the information provided may not be as reliable as official government resources. Also, prioritize official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date records.

Get Douglas County Criminal Records

Douglas County criminal records provide an in-depth description of a convicted individual, including the offense or offenses committed, charges faced, and the penalty served. The Criminal Identification Division of Nebraska State Patrol and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office maintain and issue Douglas criminal records. However, some criminal records are exempted from access. This includes:

• Criminal records with dismissed or acquitted charges.
• Criminal records involving a juvenile.
• Criminal records of minor traffic violations and crimes where the concerned person has been issued a citation.

Exempted records are accessible only to qualified individuals or bodies such as the criminal justice agency.

The Nebraska State Patrol carries out name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history reports. The name-based method requires the requester to provide the name and date of birth of the person of interest. Supplementary information like the person of interest’s social security number is not a requirement, but it can help speed up the search process. A fingerprint-based background check provides information on the record owner’s nationwide criminal history record. The record owner’s fingerprint is required. However, the fingerprint-based method is only available to persons and entities authorized by law.

A name-based criminal history report can be requested online, by mail, or in person. Online searches are carried out through the criminal history report portal at $15.50. To make an in-person or mail request, complete the Criminal History Record Request form. This search costs $12.50, payable with a cashier’s check, personal check, or money order. The completed form, along with payment and a valid ID, should be submitted in person or by mail to:

Mailing Address
Investigative Service Center
Criminal Identification Division
P.O. Box 94907
Lincoln, NE 68509

Physical Address
Investigative Service Center
Criminal Identification Division
3800 NW 12th Street
Lincoln, NE, 68521

The Criminal Identification Division is available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, except during public holidays in Nebraska.

The Records Division of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office provides interested persons with criminal history record information. To obtain a copy of a criminal record, fill out the Background Check Request Form and include a copy of your valid ID and payment ($10 per copy). Submit the request in person or by mail to:

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office - Records Division
1616 Leavenworth Street
Omaha, NE 68102.

Douglas County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records document instances where an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement. They include details such as the date and time of the arrest, the charges, and the arresting agency. Arrest records do not necessarily indicate that the person was convicted of a crime; they simply record that an arrest was made.

Criminal records provide a comprehensive history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. This includes not only arrests but also charges, convictions, sentences, and any other court proceedings. Criminal records reflect the outcomes of legal processes and provide a complete overview of a person’s criminal history.

In summary, while arrest records focus on the event of being taken into custody, criminal records encompass the entire legal trajectory, including convictions and court outcomes.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Nebraska, including Douglas County, arrest records typically remain on a person's record permanently. There is no automatic removal of arrest records; they are maintained as part of an individual's criminal history and are accessible indefinitely, unless legal action is taken to seal or expunge them.

However, an arrest will not be part of the public record of a person in any of the following circumstances:

• When the prosecutor makes a determination not to file charges, the arrest will be removed from the public record one year after the date of arrest.
• When charges are not filed because of a complete diversion, the arrest will be removed from the public record two years after the date of arrest.
• When charges are filed but dismissed by the court, the arrest will be removed from the public record three years after the date of arrest.

Expunge Douglas County Arrest Records

Only Douglas County arrest records that led to non-conviction can be expunged. Criminal convictions cannot be sealed or expunged in Nebraska. Nebraska law permits only a set-aside or pardons for the criminal conviction of an adult. A “set-aside” voids a criminal conviction, while a “pardon” is the official forgiveness of a crime. Set-asides are granted by the courts and pardons by the Board of Pardons.

Generally, arrest records are:

• Removed from the public records of a person one year after the date of arrest when the prosecutor makes a determination not to file charges.
• Removed from the public records of a person two years after the date of arrest when charges are not filed because of a complete diversion.
• Removed from the public records of a person three years after the date of arrest, when charges are filed but dismissed by the court.

To get an arrest record expunged,

• Verify that the arrest was due to an error by the law enforcement agency.
• Draft a petition for expungement detailing the arrest and explaining how it was due to an error by the arresting law enforcement agency.
• Submit the petition to the district court in the county where the arrest occurred. In this case, it would be the Douglas County District Court.
• Name the county attorney as the respondent in the petition and serve a copy of the petition to the county attorney’s office.
• Collect clear and convincing evidence to support the claim that the arrest was due to an error by the law enforcement agency. This may include police reports, witness statements, or other relevant documentation.
• A hearing will be scheduled where you will present your case. Present the evidence and arguments to the judge, demonstrating that the arrest was erroneous.
• The judge will review the evidence and decide whether the petition meets the standard of clear and convincing evidence. If the judge is convinced, they will grant the petition and issue an order to expunge the arrest record.
• Once the order is issued, it will be sent to the relevant law enforcement agencies and record-keeping entities to expunge the erroneous arrest information from their records.

Douglas County Arrest Warrants

In Douglas County, Nebraska, an arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate that authorizes law enforcement to arrest and detain an individual. An arrest warrant is issued based on probable cause, which means there is a reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime. Law enforcement officers or prosecutors present evidence to a judge to establish probable cause.

Arrest warrants are usually issued when there is evidence that an individual has committed a crime. They are also issued if an individual fails to appear in court as required or if new evidence arises implicating an individual in a crime.

An arrest warrant contains the following information:

• The name, date of birth, and other identifying details of the individual to be arrested.
• A description of the charges or offenses for which the individual is being sought.
• The jurisdiction and court that issued it.
• The document is signed by the judge or magistrate who authorized the warrant.
• The date when the warrant was issued.

Douglas County Arrest Warrant Search

The Civil Process Division of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of arrest warrants in the county. You can search active arrest warrants by using the search resource at the bottom of this page. You can search by last name or browse by alphabet. You can also contact the Civil Process Division by visiting the Sheriff’s office between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm from Monday through Friday or calling (402) 599-2600, option #2.

Do Douglas County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Douglas County, Nebraska, arrest warrants do not expire. Once an arrest warrant is issued by a court, it remains active until the individual named in the warrant is apprehended, the warrant is quashed or recalled by the issuing court, or the individual appears voluntarily before the court.