Nebraska Criminal Records

A Nebraska criminal record that details an individual's criminal history within the state. These records typically include information on arrests, warrants, citations, formal criminal charges, court dispositions, sentencing details, incarceration status, probation or parole information, and other interactions with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. According to recent crime statistics, Nebraska has a violent crime rate of approximately 2.83 incidents per 1,000 residents and a total crime rate of about 21.72 per 1,000 residents.

Criminal record information in Nebraska is generated and maintained by various state and local agencies, including municipal police departments, county sheriff's offices, district and county courts within the Nebraska Judicial Branch, and the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. However, the Nebraska State Patrol - specifically its Criminal Identification Division - serves as the state's centralized repository for fingerprint-based criminal record information and is charged with maintaining and disseminating this information to authorized requesters.

Are Criminal Records Public in Nebraska?

Nebraska criminal records are considered public and may be accessed per the state's Public Records Statutes and other relevant laws, such as the Security, Privacy, and Dissemination of Criminal History Information Act (primarily outlined in Sections 29-3501 to 29-3528 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes). As a general rule, criminal history information compiled by law enforcement agencies is typically available for public inspection, although certain exceptions apply.

For instance, records of arrests that did not lead to charges being filed against the person or where the charges filed were dismissed are typically redacted from public disclosure. Other information that is typically exempt from public access includes sealed records, juvenile criminal records, personal identifying details of certain crime victims, and records of active/ongoing criminal investigations.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Nebraska?

The Nebraska State Patrol's Criminal Identification Division provides interested parties with two options for accessing official Nebraska criminal record information:

• Name-Based Criminal History Reports: This option is available to any interested member of the public and may be requested online or by submitting a completed Criminal History Record Request form in person at any Nebraska State Patrol Troop Area office or via mail to:

  Nebraska State Patrol

  Criminal Identification Division

  P.O. Box 94907

  Lincoln, NE 68509-4907

  There is a $15.50 fee per request, and reports are typically generated within three business days.

• Fingerprint-Based National Background Checks: This option requires the submission of the subject's fingerprints and provides access to the person's nationwide criminal history record. However, fingerprint-based checks are not available to the general public and may only be requested by specific authorized requesters (usually for employment or licensing purposes).

  Inquiries may be directed to the NSP's Criminal Identification Division at (402) 479-4971.

How To Search Nebraska Arrest Records?

Arrest records in Nebraska are primarily created by local police departments and sheriff's offices for their respective jurisdictions. These records typically contain details like:

• The arrestee's name and age
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• The name of the arresting officer (and arresting agency)
• Details of the offense(s) that led to the arrest
• Booking information

You can typically access a Nebraska arrest record by contacting the arresting agency directly. Many local law enforcement agencies allow for in-person requests and may also have mail-in and/or online options.

Some of these agencies also publish daily or weekly arrest logs and incident reports on their official websites, offering public access to basic arrest and booking information. Be aware that local law enforcement agencies only maintain records of arrests for their respective jurisdictions; as such, it is important to contact the relevant agency to access the desired records. However, the Nebraska State Patrol offers online access to statewide arrest information (note that these may not be as comprehensive as records obtained directly from the arresting agency).

How To Search Nebraska Warrants?

A warrant in Nebraska is a legal order that authorizes law enforcement to take specific actions, such as making an arrest or conducting a search. Nebraska warrants are typically issued by judges, but may also be issued by clerk magistrates in certain cases. Common types of warrants issued in the state include:

• Arrest Warrants: These are issued when there is probable cause that a crime has been committed and authorize the apprehension of the person suspected of committing/being involved in the commission of the crime. These types of warrants typically remain active until executed or recalled (by the issuing court).
• Bench Warrants: These are issued when a person fails to appear in court or violates a court order, and authorize law enforcement to detain the person and bring them before a judge. Bench warrants also remain active indefinitely until they are executed or recalled.
• Search Warrants: These authorize law enforcement to search specific premises for evidence of a crime and seize items from this location. Unlike arrest and bench warrants, a search warrant must be executed and returned to the issuing court within 10 days (from the date it was issued).

You can typically find information on outstanding or active warrants in Nebraska by contacting the court that issued the warrant or the local sheriff's office or police department in the jurisdiction where the warrant was issued. Many counties across the state also offer online lists and searchable databases that may be used to access warrant information for their respective jurisdictions.

Can I Obtain a Nebraska Criminal History Record of Another Person?

Interested members of the public may obtain criminal history records on other individuals by requesting a name-based criminal history report from the Nebraska State Patrol's Criminal Identification Division. These requests may be made online or by submitting a Criminal History Record Request form in person at any Nebraska State Patrol Troop Area office across the state. The completed form may also be mailed to the Criminal Identification Division at:

There is a non-refundable $15.50 fee per request, and reports are usually processed within three business days. Note that, per state law, certain information is typically redacted from the generated report, namely:

• Information on arrests older than a year, if no charges were filed due to a decision made by the prosecuting attorney
• Information on arrests older than two years, if no charges were filed due to the completion of a diversion program
• Information on arrests where charges were filed but later dismissed (either by court motion, a hearing, or the completion of a rehabilitation program) or the person was acquitted

However, you may be able to access this information with the signed and notarized authorization of the subject's record. Contact the NSP's Criminal Identification Division at (402) 479-4971 for more information.

How To Expunge or Seal Nebraska Criminal Records

Nebraska's criminal procedure laws (outlined in Chapter 29 of the Nebraska Revised Statutes) make provision for the sealing of criminal records under certain circumstances. When a criminal record is sealed in Nevada, it is removed from public access, and the involved party may legally deny the existence of the record. Note that sealed records may still be accessed by criminal justice agencies and certain authorized non-criminal justice agencies, like the state's Department of Human and Health Services.

Nebraska offers two pathways for record sealing - Automatic and Petition-based. Automatic record sealing does not require any action on the part of the individual involved. This pathway is typically limited to juvenile records. Note that the person must meet certain conditions, such as being less than 18 at the time of the incident and completing the imposed sentence. However, adult records for cases where the charges were dismissed or acquitted after December 31, 2016, are usually automatically sealed as well.

On the other hand, petition-based sealing requires action on the part of the record's subject. This pathway is available for juvenile records that do not qualify for automatic sealing (note that the individual must either wait till they turn 19 or at least six months must have elapsed after the case was closed). Adult records may also be eligible for a petition-based sealing, provided the record falls under the following categories:

• Cases that were dismissed or acquitted before January 1, 2017.
• Convictions that have been pardoned
• Sex trafficking victim-related convictions

To get a petition-based record sealing, you must complete a Motion to Seal and file the motion with the court of jurisdiction (the Nebraska Judicial Branch offers access to necessary forms online, or you may contact the appropriate court clerk's office to obtain these forms). Once the motion is filed, the court will notify the relevant prosecuting attorney and schedule a hearing, where the involved parties (both the petitioner and prosecutor) will have a chance to present their arguments regarding the request to seal the record. The court will subsequently review the motion, considering the arguments presented, before deciding on whether to grant or deny the request.

Note that Nebraska law also offers other options for clearing criminal records. These include "set-asides", which offset (but do not erase) a conviction, making it easier for the individual to access employment and similar opportunities. Note that this option is only available to individuals who were sentenced to probation, community service, or imprisonment of less than one year and have completed their sentence and meet other specific eligibility criteria. Likewise, certain records may also be expunged in Nebraska; however, this is extremely rare and only available for arrests made due to law enforcement error.

What Are the Limitations to the Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Nebraska?

Per the Fair Chance Act, federal agencies and contractors in Nevada are prohibited from asking about an applicant's criminal history until they have first made a conditional job offer. Nebraska Revised Statutes Section 48-202 places similar restrictions on public employers in the state, ensuring that individuals are evaluated based on qualifications first, rather than being immediately disqualified due to past convictions. Similarly, the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires employers to obtain written consent before conducting background checks on job applicants and provide notice if adverse action is taken based on the results. Federal guidance from agencies like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also influences how Nebraska employers and landlords assess criminal history by emphasizing individualized applicant assessments over blanket exclusions.

Can I Access Nebraska Criminal Records for Free Online?

While some third-party websites claim to offer free (or low-cost) access to Nebraska criminal records, many of these sites often provide incomplete or outdated information. For the most accurate and up-to-date criminal history, it is best to use reliable resources like the NSP's online request portal, the state judicial branch's JUSTICE Search system, or reputable platforms that aggregate verified data, like NebraskaPublicRecords.us.