Lincoln Arrest Records

Law enforcement officers in Lincoln, Nebraska, often make arrests when they reasonably suspect that a crime has been committed with or without a warrant, a court-issued legal document that permits an arrest. The Lincoln Police Department or the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office is primarily responsible for booking suspects arrested by law enforcement agents. Detained persons are typically held at Lancaster County Corrections/Jail. Arrest records may also be found in other databases such as court dockets, jail rosters, and Lancaster County arrest records.

Are Lincoln Arrests Public Record?

Yes. Members of the public may access public arrest records under the Nebraska Public Records Law. However, certain information within these records may be exempt from public disclosure. Under Section 84-712.05, they include:

• Documents created or obtained by law enforcement organizations that are used in the examination, investigation, or gathering of intelligence
• Informant identification
• Records concerning the quantity or concentration of drugs or alcohol in a person's bodily fluids
• The name and personally identifiable details of an alleged victim of sexual assault or sex trafficking
• Information relevant to the safety of people on or within public property
• Social security numbers, credit card, charge card, or debit card numbers, and expiration dates.

Lincoln Crime Rate

Based on the crime statistics published by the Lincoln Police Department (LPD) for the year 2024, a total of 5635 thefts were committed, with 1838 thefts from vehicles and 1856 shoplifting crimes committed. There were 3414 cases of vandalism and 2341 cases of fraud. Furthermore, 8, 157, and 121 crimes were committed for homicide, rape/attempted rape, and robbery, respectively, with 692 cases of aggravated assault.

Find Lincoln Arrest Records

The Lincoln Police Department handles the arrest and booking of suspects in Lincoln City. To find a Lincoln arrest record, one may utilize the Open Data Portal maintained by the department. An exhaustive list of all individuals arrested is published per year. One can view the offender's name, race, offense committed, age, sex, and other information related to the arrest. One can also find an arrest record in Lincoln City by contacting the LPD in person at:

Lincoln Police Department
555 South 10th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: (402) 441-6000

One may also search the online Inmate List maintained by Lancaster County Department of Corrections, which provides current data on county arrests and jail rosters by the booking date and name. Alternatively, interested persons seeking an arrest record may contact the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office. This agency provides criminal history search services to requesters, which provide notations of adult arrests made by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office for criminal offenses and local arrest warrant information. To request, complete, and submit the Criminal History Request Form along with a $10 fee by mail or in person at:

Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
Hall of Justice
575 S 10th Street
Lincoln, NE 68508.

Furthermore, the Case Information - eServices website maintained by the state's Judicial Branch provides access to criminal court records online. The public can access court records via Trial Court Case Searches and Appellate Court Case Searches.

Free Arrest Record Search in Lincoln

To conduct a free arrest record search in Lincoln, one may look up the yearly arrest record list in the Open Data Portal maintained by the LPD or search the Inmate List provided by the Lancaster County DOC. Alternatively, record seekers may utilize the services of third-party websites that maintain databases that may be searched for free. However, individuals who wish to obtain detailed information may be required to pay a fee. While services rendered by these aggregate websites may be fast and easy to use, information provided may not be current or accurate.

Criminal Background Check in Nebraska

The Nebraska State Patrol is the central repository for Nebraska criminal history records. Members of the public may obtain a person's criminal history record or Record of Arrest and Prosecution (RAP sheet) upon request. This document lists all arrests in Nebraska where a fingerprint was taken and the dispositions that followed.

Criminal history reports in Nebraska come in two types. The name-based criminal history report is the most accessible method of obtaining an individual's criminal history. Landlords or employers may request a rap sheet through this method. The fingerprint-based national background check may only be accessible for authorized reasons.

Record seekers may complete and submit the required information to make an online request. They may also download and complete the Request Form, which they may then submit in person or via mail to any Nebraska State Patrol Troop Area office. Requesters are required to pay a fee of $15 to process the search.

For a few of $10, individuals may also conduct a Criminal History Request search via the LPD. The county's Sheriff's Office also provides criminal history search services to the general public. To request, complete, and submit the Criminal History Request Form along with a $10 fee to the Sheriff's Office during working hours.

Lincoln Inmate Search

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services maintains an online page for incarcerated individual records. Members of the public may search for individuals who have been convicted and incarcerated by the DOC and are currently serving sentences. To search, input the subject's first and last name or DOC ID number, and click "Submit".

Lincoln Police Record Lookup

Anyone seeking a Lincoln police record lookup may visit the LPD's Police Records page online. The Open Data Portal provides access to the annual data for traffic stops, incident reports, crashes, use of force, hate crimes, arrests, and citations. The Public Records Request page also includes crime statistics and daily call summaries.

Furthermore, interested persons may visit the LPD Records Department's public access records counter Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Complete case file reports require a subpoena issued by the court. Copies of reports and services available at the counter include crash reports, public copies of incident reports, arrest photos, citations, dispatch information by address, and others.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Lincoln?

The length of time an arrest stays on a record in Lincoln depends on the case's outcome. If no charges are filed, an arrest record is removed from the public record after one year. If charges are filed but dismissed, the record is removed upon dismissal. If a conviction occurs, it will generally remain on record indefinitely unless the subject successfully petitions for a set-aside or pardon.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Lincoln?

There is no statutory expungement clause in Nebraska. An arrest can only be expunged from a record if it was the result of an error made by law enforcement. The subject must submit a petition to the District Court for the county where the arrest took place to have such an arrest erased.

However, Nebraska Statute 29-3523 mandates that some material be removed from the public record if certain conditions are met. These conditions include the following:

• If no charges are brought as a result of the prosecutor's decision, the criminal history record information will no longer be publicly available after a year from the date of arrest
• If charges are not brought after a diversion is completed, the criminal history record information will no longer be publicly available after two years from the date of arrest
• The record will no longer be public immediately upon notification, when charges are filed, but the court dismisses the case:
  • In response to the prosecutor's motion
  • Following a hearing that wasn't the subject of an ongoing appeal
  • Following an acquittal
  • Following a deferred judgment

Lincoln Warrant Search

An arrest warrant is an official document issued by a judge when law enforcement has probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime and needs to be taken into custody. A judge issues a bench warrant, typically when someone has failed to appear in court or comply with a court order. Interested persons may look up warrants in the following ways:

• In-person inquiries at:
  • The Lincoln Police Department's Office
  • The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
• Online search at:
  • The LPD/Sheriff's Office online active warrant list
  • The state's Case Information - eServices

Most warrant searches are typically carried out online, as appearing in person may lead to an immediate arrest.

Do Lincoln Warrants Expire?

Once issued, an arrest warrant is valid until the person is arrested by law enforcement, surrenders to authorities, or the court recalls the warrant; most arrest warrants are perpetual and stay in effect until they are served or recalled.