Warrants are public records in Lancaster County, Nebraska, pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-712, also known as the Nebraska Public Records Act. This statute establishes that public records include any documents prepared, owned, used, or retained by a public body in the course of its official duties. Warrant records maintained by law enforcement agencies fall within this definition and are accessible to the public, supporting principles of transparency and accountability in legal proceedings.
The Nebraska Public Records Act specifically states that "all citizens of this state and all other persons interested in the examination of the public records" have the right to examine public records during normal business hours. This statutory provision ensures that warrant information remains accessible to interested parties, thereby promoting public trust in the judicial system and preventing undue secrecy in legal processes.
Warrant records maintained by the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office typically contain the following information:
Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute § 29-404, arrest warrants must "recite the offense charged" and command law enforcement to arrest the person and bring them before the nearest magistrate. This statutory requirement ensures that warrant records contain sufficient detail regarding the alleged offense.
Members of the public may access warrant information in Lancaster County through several no-cost methods:
The Sheriff's Office maintains a public database of active warrants that can be searched by name. However, pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-712.05, certain warrant information may be withheld if disclosure would interfere with ongoing investigations or compromise public safety.
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office is the primary agency responsible for executing warrants within the county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are official documents issued by Lancaster County courts that authorize law enforcement officers to perform specific actions, including:
Sheriff warrants must comply with the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Nebraska Revised Statute § 29-830, which require particularity in describing the person, place, or things to be seized. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Civil Process Division, located at 575 South 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, maintains records of all warrants issued within the county and coordinates their execution.
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Lancaster County may utilize several official channels:
Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute § 29-410, warrants remain in force until they are executed or recalled by the issuing court. Individuals with active warrants should be aware that Nebraska law does not provide for a statute of limitations on warrant execution.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Lancaster County may be accomplished through multiple official channels:
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive database of active warrants that can be searched by authorized personnel. Members of the public may inquire about specific warrants by contacting the Sheriff's Office at 575 South 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, or by calling (402) 441-6500.
The Clerk of the District Court provides access to court records, including information about bench warrants issued for failure to appear. The District Court Clerk's Office is located at 575 South 10th Street, Room 1400, Lincoln, NE 68508, and can be reached at (402) 441-7291.
The Nebraska Judicial Branch electronic services offers online access to court records across all Nebraska counties, including Lancaster County. This system allows for searches of case information that may indicate the existence of active warrants.
Law enforcement agencies within Lancaster County municipalities, such as the Lincoln Police Department at 575 South 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, telephone (402) 441-7204, can also provide information regarding outstanding warrants within their jurisdictions.
Pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute § 84-712.03, if access to public records is denied, the requesting party has the right to appeal the denial to the Attorney General or to petition the district court for an order compelling disclosure.