§ 6-2004.Procedural.
Article 20: Rules for Expanded News Media Coverage in Nebraska Trial Courts · Last amended October 7, 2025 · Last verified July 22, 2026
Full Text of § 6-2004
Amendment History
§ 6-2004 adopted December 21, 2016, effective March 1, 2017; § 6-2004(B) amended June 24, 2020; § 6-2004 amended March 10, 2021; § 6-2004(C)(2) amended January 18, 2023; § 6-2004(D)(2) amended October 7, 2025.
Plain-English Summary
§ 6-2004 turns § 6-2003’s substantive limits into a working procedure. Credentialing starts with the Office of Public Information, which reviews journalists, issues credentials good for two years, and can suspend or revoke them if a journalist falls out of good standing, changes employers, or lets a credential lapse. Once credentialed, journalists are expected to work through a court-appointed news media coordinator for the logistics of covering a given proceeding; if no coordinator is available, the judge can deny coverage or appoint a temporary stand-in.
Requesting coverage takes real lead time. Outside the initial-appearance exception in § 6-2003(E), a request must be filed in writing, on approved forms, with the clerk where the case is pending, at least seven business days before the first proceeding to be covered, sooner if the proceeding itself is scheduled with less notice than that. One approved request covers that proceeding and every later proceeding at that same level of court, unless the judge later finds good cause to limit or end coverage for a specific hearing; moving to a different court level, say, county court to district court, requires a fresh request.
Objecting works on its own clock: a party must file a written objection at least three days before the proceeding starts, or as soon as practical if the proceeding was scheduled on shorter notice. The judge can rule on the papers alone or with supporting affidavits, generally before the proceeding begins, and every request and objection gets logged into the JUSTICE system so the assigned judge and all parties see it automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a journalist become credentialed to cover Nebraska court proceedings?
The journalist applies through the Office of Public Information, completes a review on these rules, and receives credentials that expire two years after issuance.
How far in advance must a media coverage request be filed?
At least seven business days before the first proceeding to be covered, or as soon as practicable if the proceeding is scheduled sooner than that.
Does an approved coverage request have to be renewed for every hearing in the same case?
No. An approved request covers that proceeding and all later proceedings at the same court level, unless the judge finds good cause to limit or end coverage for a specific hearing.
How much notice does a party have to object to media coverage?
A written objection must be filed at least three days before the proceeding begins, or as soon as practical when the proceeding was scheduled on shorter notice.
What happens if a case moves from county court to district court?
A new request for expanded news media coverage must be submitted in the new court, since an approved request applies only within the level of the court system where it was granted.
What role does the news media coordinator play?
The coordinator handles arrangements for expanded coverage between the media and the judicial officer, and a temporary coordinator can be appointed if none is available for a proceeding.