§ 6-1512.Duties of court personnel.

Article 15: Uniform District Court Rules of Practice and Procedure · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 22, 2026

In one sentenceSection 6-1512 assigns specific duties to the sheriff, bailiff, and clerk of the district court — keeping order, tending to jurors, maintaining dockets and records, and relaying communications — so the courtroom and case files run properly.

Full Text of § 6-1512

Text sizeJump to: (A) (B) (C)

(A) Sheriff's Duties: The sheriff or designated deputy shall be in attendance at all times when the court is in session, unless excused by the court.

The sheriff shall maintain order in the courtroom and shall correct or repress all improper deportment so as not to interrupt the orderly process of the court, without any express order from the court.

(B) Bailiff's Duties: The bailiff shall have and carry out such duties as may be assigned to the bailiff by the court, including, but not limited to, the following:

Before beginning each session of court, the bailiff shall see that the jury and all required court personnel are in their proper places, and the bailiff shall notify the court. The bailiff shall be responsible for the comfort and welfare of any juror under the bailiff's charge and for compliance with the rules attendant on jurors. The bailiff shall immediately notify the court of all communications from the jurors to the bailiff, and the bailiff shall not respond to any such communication without the direction of the court.

(1) The clerk of the district court shall be present at all times during the sessions of the court, either in person or by deputy, unless excused by the court.

(2) The clerk shall prepare and maintain such dockets and records as may be required by the court, Supreme Court rule, or the statutes of Nebraska.

(3) The clerk shall have the following duties in addition to all statutory duties, if so directed by the court:

(a) The clerk shall immediately, upon receipt, notify the court and sheriff of the return of any mandate from the Nebraska Supreme Court in every criminal case, and notify the court in every civil case.

(b) The clerk shall have such other and additional duties, not inconsistent with the responsibilities of the office, as may be directed by the court.

End

Plain-English Summary

Behind every hearing sit three roles this section defines. The sheriff or a designated deputy attends every session the court holds, unless excused, and maintains courtroom order — correcting or repressing improper conduct on their own initiative, without waiting for an express order from the judge.

The bailiff carries out whatever duties the court assigns, including making sure the jury and required personnel are in place before each session and notifying the court once they are. The bailiff looks after the comfort and welfare of jurors under their charge and sees to compliance with the rules jurors have to follow, and critically, has to immediately notify the court of any communication from jurors to the bailiff — without responding to that communication except as the court directs.

The clerk of the district court has to be present, in person or by deputy, during sessions unless excused, and keeps whatever dockets and records the court, a Supreme Court rule, or Nebraska statute requires. Beyond statutory duties, the clerk notifies the court and sheriff immediately upon receiving a mandate from the Nebraska Supreme Court in a criminal case (and notifies the court in a civil case), plus whatever other duties the court directs that aren’t inconsistent with the office’s responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the sheriff responsible for during court sessions?

Attending every session unless excused, and maintaining order in the courtroom by correcting or repressing improper conduct without needing an express order from the court.

Can the bailiff respond directly to a question or request from the jury?

No. The bailiff has to immediately notify the court of any communication from jurors, and can’t respond to that communication without the court’s direction.

What records must the clerk of the district court maintain?

Whatever dockets and records are required by the court, a Supreme Court rule, or Nebraska statute.

Does the clerk have to be physically present for every session?

Present in person or by deputy during sessions of court, unless excused by the court.

What happens when the Nebraska Supreme Court issues a mandate in a case pending before the district court?

The clerk notifies the court and sheriff immediately upon receipt of a mandate in a criminal case, and notifies the court in every civil case.

Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Judicial Branch, adopted by the Supreme Court of Nebraska. Last verified July 22, 2026. · Official source

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