§ 25-1660.Jurors; how summoned; notice; deadlines, applicability.

Article 16: Jurors and Jury Selection · Last amended 2020 · Last verified July 22, 2026

In one sentenceThis section sets how summonses reach grand and petit jurors — by mail, personal service, or a jury management system, delivered by the jury commissioner, court clerk, or another authorized person — fixes the minimum-notice deadlines, and lists what a summons must state.

Full Text of § 25-1660

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(1) The summons of grand and petit jurors for the courts of this state shall be served by the jury commissioner, the clerk of such court, or any other person authorized by the court by delivering such summons by first-class mail or personal service or through a jury management system to the person whose name has been drawn.

(2)(a) If the jury commissioner uses the two-step qualifying and summoning system, the summons shall be delivered not less than ten days before the day such juror is to appear as a juror in such court.

(b) If the jury commissioner uses the one-step qualifying and summoning system, the summons shall be delivered:

(i) Not less than ten days before the first day of the jury term, if the jury commissioner is summoning jurors for service throughout the jury term; or

(ii) Not less than ten days before the day such juror is to appear as a juror in such court, if the jury commissioner is summoning a juror for service on a specific jury panel.

(c) The deadlines in this subsection shall not apply to summons delivered to extra jurors pursuant to section 25-1665 or tales jurors pursuant to section 25-1666. Summons to such jurors shall be delivered at the earliest possible time under the circumstances and as directed by the judge or judges.

(3)(a) If the jury commissioner uses the two-step qualifying and summoning system, a summons sent under this section shall include the day, time, place, and name of the court where the juror is to report for jury service.

(b) If the jury commissioner uses the one-step qualifying and summoning system, a summons sent under this section shall include such details as to the day, time, place, and name of the court where the juror is to report for jury service as are known at the time the summons is sent along with additional instructions regarding the manner in which the juror shall contact the court or will be notified by the court of any additional details.

End

Source

R.S.1867, Code §§ 661, 662, p. 510; Laws 1885, c. 97, § 1, p. 381; R.S.1913, § 8141; Laws 1915, c. 148, § 1, p. 318; C.S.1922, § 9076; C.S.1929, § 20-1606; R.S.1943, § 25-1606; Laws 1953, c. 72, § 3, p. 225; Laws 1957, c. 242, § 18, p. 831; Laws 1982, LB 677, § 1; R.S.1943, (2016), § 25-1606; Laws 2020, LB387, § 17.

Plain-English Summary

Section 25-1660 governs the summons itself, once a name has been drawn for jury service. The jury commissioner, the clerk of the court, or any other person the court authorizes may serve the summons on grand and petit jurors, delivering it by first-class mail, personal service, or through a jury management system to the person drawn.

Timing depends on which qualifying and summoning system the commissioner uses. Under the two-step system, the summons must go out no less than ten days before the day the juror is to appear. Under the one-step system, the summons must go out no less than ten days before the first day of the jury term, if the commissioner is summoning jurors for the whole term, or no less than ten days before the specific day the juror is to appear, if the commissioner is summoning for a particular panel. Neither deadline applies to summonses delivered to extra jurors under § 25-1665 or tales jurors under § 25-1666; those go out at the earliest time the circumstances allow, as the judge or judges direct.

The summons also has to say something useful. Under the two-step system, it must state the day, time, place, and name of the court where the juror is to report. Under the one-step system, it must state whatever of those details are known when the summons is sent, along with instructions on how the juror will contact the court, or be notified by the court, for any details not yet known.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can serve a jury summons in Nebraska?

The jury commissioner, the clerk of the court, or any other person the court authorizes.

How can a jury summons be delivered?

By first-class mail, personal service, or through a jury management system.

How much notice does a summons have to give under the two-step system?

No less than ten days before the day the juror is to appear in court.

How much notice does a summons have to give under the one-step system?

No less than ten days before the first day of the jury term, if summoning jurors for the whole term, or no less than ten days before the specific appearance day, if summoning for a particular panel.

Do extra jurors or tales jurors get the same ten-day notice?

No. Section 25-1660 exempts summonses to extra jurors under § 25-1665 and tales jurors under § 25-1666 from the ten-day deadlines; those go out as early as circumstances allow.

What information does a jury summons have to include?

Under the two-step system, the day, time, place, and name of the court. Under the one-step system, whatever of those details are known when the summons is sent, plus instructions on how the juror will learn any remaining details.

Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. · Official source

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