Criminal records of Lancaster County, Nebraska, are available through several channels. LancasterCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's official court systems, county law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office—online, in person, or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in Lancaster
Start with LancasterCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to view available public information about criminal proceedings in the county.
Online Search via Official Portals
- JUSTICE System — one-time case search covers criminal, civil, traffic, and juvenile cases in all 93 county and district courts of Nebraska. The defendant's last name is required for the search.
- Nebraska Judicial Branch eServices — case information portal provides a statewide search. Lancaster has a separate County Court, District Court, and a separate Juvenile Court.
- County Public Records Page — the Lancaster County portal compiles links for searching criminal cases, accident reports, and other documents.
- Inmate Lookup — Lancaster County Department of Corrections publishes data on individuals currently in custody. For a statewide search, use Incarceration Record Search.
- Sheriff's Reports — online report lookup provides access to incident reports and accident reports filed by the sheriff's office.
What You Need to Start a Search
- Full name of the person (mandatory)
- Date of birth (preferable — narrows results)
- Case number, if known
In-Person Visit
The Lancaster County court clerk's office provides direct access to records. Contact them via the details on the county courts page:
- County Court case records — 402.441.7328
- District Court or Juvenile Court case records — 402.441.7328
- Traffic cases — 402.441.8959
The courthouse usually has public terminals for self-search.
Request by Mail
A written request can be sent through the public records request page of Lancaster County. There are separate forms for County Court, District Court, and the sheriff's office. For a statewide criminal history check, the request is directed to the Nebraska State Patrol Criminal Identification Division.
Search Lancaster Criminal Cases by Case Number
A case number in Nebraska has a standard format consisting of several parts:
- County Prefix — a letter code indicating the county (e.g., "CI" for Lancaster County Court or "D" for District Court)
- Case Type — a letter code for the category: CR (criminal), TR (traffic), CI (civil), etc.
- Filing Year — two-digit year
- Sequential Number — a unique numerical identifier within the year
For example, a number might look like CR25-1234, where CR indicates a criminal case, 25 is the filing year, and 1234 is the sequential number. If you know the exact number, enter it into the JUSTICE system — it's the fastest way to find a specific case without needing to filter results by name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Lancaster
Charges
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska under which the charge is filed |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime, classes I–IV and IIA), misdemeanor (offense, classes I–V), or infraction (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the initial charge — downgrade the severity or add new counts. Changes are reflected in the case card |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — proceedings are ongoing, and hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed, and the case is closed
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first court session where the defendant is read the charges and states their plea (guilty / not guilty)
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to transfer the case to District Court (applies to felonies)
- Pre-Trial — procedural meeting of the parties before the trial begins
- Sentencing — session for announcing the sentence after a guilty plea
- Review — control session to check compliance with conditions (probation, programs, etc.)
The hearing schedule is available through the court calendars search of the Nebraska Judicial Branch.
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty |
| Not Guilty | The court acquitted the defendant |
| Dismissed | The case is closed without a verdict — at the prosecutor's or court's initiative |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not dispute the charge, which has the same consequences as a guilty plea but is not a formal admission |
| Acquitted | Complete acquittal after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Lancaster
Certified copies of criminal records are issued by the clerk of the court where the case was heard. The procedure differs slightly for County Court and District Court cases.
Where to Apply
Lancaster County Clerk of the District Court
Lancaster County Court
Ways to Submit a Request
- Online — use the public records request page, where there are separate forms for County Court and District Court.
- In Person — visit the court clerk's office with valid photo ID. The clerk will prepare and certify the copy.
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the full name of the party, case number (if known), type of document needed, and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order.
Statewide Criminal History Check
The Nebraska State Patrol processes requests for a criminal history record check. This requires submitting a completed form with fingerprints or a name-based check request. Such a request is relevant for employers, licensing agencies, or personal verification.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Lancaster
Fees for court records in Nebraska are set by state law (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 33-109 and related sections). Below are approximate rates — it's best to confirm the exact amount with the clerk before submitting a request.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification | $1.00–$2.00 per document |
| Criminal history check via Nebraska State Patrol (by name) | $15.50 |
| Fingerprint-based check | $24.50 |
Processing Time
- Online Search — results are available instantly via JUSTICE or eServices
- Request for copies at the clerk's office — usually 1–5 business days, depending on volume
- Mail request — 5 to 15 business days, including delivery time
- Criminal history check via State Patrol — 3 to 10 business days
If older records that have not yet been digitized are needed, processing may take longer. Confirm this with the clerk when submitting a request.