Nebraska Criminal Records Online

Are Nebraska Criminal Records Public?

Yes. According to the state's Public Records Law, Nebraska criminal records are available for public viewership. The Nebraska State Patrol is responsible for pooling state public criminal records, and the Investigative Services Division bears that responsibility. Interested persons may obtain copies of criminal records by visiting the Investigative Services Division. The Division also accepts mail requests and online applications for criminal records.

Criminal records, considered public in the United States, are made available through some third-party aggregate sites. Searching with third-party websites is often easier as the information is not limited to geographic record availability. Information found on third-party websites can serve as a jumping off point for parties searching for a specific record or multiple records. Typically, requesters must provide the following information to gain access to these records:

The record subject’s name, unless the subject is a juvenile.
The record subjects’ last known location, including cities, counties, and states.

Third-party websites offer these search services, but they are not government sponsored. Availability of records may vary.

What is Considered a Criminal Record in Nebraska?

Nebraska criminal records, also known as rap sheets, are official documents that detail the criminal history information of persons within Nebraska. These records encompass the subject's criminal activity, arrest history, indictment records, and incarceration information (if applicable). This information is assembled from various sources, from Nebraska criminal justice agencies to Nebraska courts and correctional facilities.

Although criminal records are one of several police records created by law enforcement, these records are the most comprehensive.

What Shows Up on a Criminal Record in Nebraska

A typical criminal record in Nebraska contains the following information:

The subject's full name and aliases
A mugshot and set of fingerprints
Detailed physical descriptors and unique identifiers such as tattoos and birthmarks
Race or ethnicity
Date of birth
Arrest data and outstanding warrants
Conviction history and pending dispositions

How to Obtain Criminal Records in Nebraska?

Nebraska's criminal record information is pooled by the Criminal Identification Division under the Nebraska State Patrol. The Division organizes criminal records in public-access archives and online depositories. Records may be accessed in the form of a background check report. Interested persons have three options to perform a criminal record search in Nebraska - online, in-person, or by mail.

Online requesters may visit the Nebraska State Patrol's online criminal background check platform to search for criminal records. Requesters must provide basic information on themselves and the person of interest and make a $15.50 payment. Meanwhile, in-person or mail-in requesters may complete a criminal record request form, attach $12.50, and submit the application in person or by mail to the Criminal Identification Division office.

Criminal Identification Division
P.O. Box 94907
Lincoln, NE 68509-4907

These reports may also be obtained online or through various sources such as law enforcement offices, local and state courts, and databases. Individuals looking for a free public criminal record check may try third-party alternatives. However, such alternatives may have limited information.

Are Nebraska Arrest Records Public?

Yes, Nebraska's Public Records Law mandates law enforcement to make public arrest records available to requesters. Interested persons may visit local law enforcement agencies to find arrest records. They may also query the Criminal Investigation Division in person by mailing a written request or submitting an online application.

Generally, the record custodian will charge a nominal fee for copying the arrest records. Notwithstanding, a requester may still obtain free arrest records if eligible for an arrest search fee waiver. Record custodians typically grant waivers if releasing the arrest records serves the public's interests and not commercial purposes.

What is Considered an Arrest Record in Nebraska?

Nebraska arrest records are official documentation that provides information regarding persons who have been apprehended and detained following their alleged involvement in a crime. These records are primarily generated by the arresting agency and may contain details of the alleged crime as well as the personal data of the arrestee, the name and place of the arrest, and the address of the holding facility where the subject(s) is/was detained.

Arrest records are not definitive proof of the suspects involved in the alleged crime unless accompanied with details of related indictments, charges, or sentences. As per U.S. law, these documents may be considered public records unless otherwise ruled by a judge or magistrate.

Nebraska Arrest Warrant

Nebraska arrest warrants are signed court orders that provide legal authorization to law enforcement agencies to take persons into custody. Warrants are typically issued by a judge following a request from the arresting agency or the district attorney. To obtain an active warrant, the requestor may be required to present substantial proof or reasonable cause of the suspects involved in the alleged crime. Law enforcement agencies must have warrant search rights to enter, search, and seize the private property of a prospective arrestee. Information in Nebraska arrest warrants typically include:

Details of the alleged criminal offense
Personal data of the arrestee
The place, date, and time that the arrest may be conducted
An expiry date (except bench warrants)
The name of the issuer/the date it was issued
Bail/bond conditions (if applicable)

Nebraska state law allows law enforcement officers to make arrests without warrants in cases where the officer was a witness to the crime or the arrestee is suspected of committing a felony.

Where a warrant exists, the document is subject to state public records laws. Interested persons may contact the arresting agency to view the warrant. Some police departments publish active warrants online. In such cases, a requester may perform an active warrant search on the agency's website.

How to Lookup Nebraska Inmate Records

Nebraska inmate records are official documents pertaining to persons who are incarcerated in correctional facilities across the state. These jail records often detail the inmate-specific data such as the full name and alias, their birth date, nationality, gender, and other biological information, as well as crime-related data such as their criminal indictments and sentences.

Generally, most jail records are available to the public. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) maintains an inmate lookup database that is searchable online and can provide both general and inmate-specific information such as an inmate's biodata and criminal charges as well as the detainee's incarceration date and prospective release date. Any information unavailable through an online inmate search may be obtained by querying the facility where the inmate is being housed.

How Do I Find Sex Offenders in Nebraska

The Nebraska sex offender registry serves as the state's publicly accessible database of registered sex offenders. Sex offender listings are primarily managed by local law enforcement agencies, while the Nebraska State Patrol equally maintains a statewide central registry for convicted sex offenders in Nebraska. Either way, a sex offender registry contains information such as the names, locations, and compliance status of offenders across the state. The public may query the database by the suspected offender's name or address.

Understanding DUI Laws in Nebraska

A DUI in Nebraska refers to the offense of driving under the influence of intoxicating or inebriating substances. According to Nebraska's driving laws, a person is under the influence when their ability to drive safely is impaired to any "appreciable degree".

In Nebraska, the police typically perform traffic stops upon observing that a motor vehicle operator shows signs of impaired driving. To confirm, the officer will administer field sobriety tests, especially a chemical test to measure the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC). Having a BAC of 0.08 or more is illegal, and law enforcement will process the individual for driving under the influence.

Generally, the penalties for drunk driving vary from a $500 fine to up to 60 days in jail. The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles assigns six penalties points for a DUI and typically suspends the driver's license for up to six months pending administrative review. Meanwhile, habitual offenders face up to $10000 in fines, 3 - 12 months in prison, and can lose driving privileges for up to 15 years.

Nebraska Misdemeanors Laws: Offenses and Penalties

Nebraska misdemeanors are non-indictable crimes that are less serious than felonies and often attract penalties of less than one year in jail. In the state of Nebraska, misdemeanors are categorized in classes based on severity. They include Classes I, II, III, IIIA, IV, V, and W misdemeanors.

As per Nebraska state laws, Class I and Class W are the most serious misdemeanors. Possible punishment for Class I misdemeanors may include a punishment of up to one year in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both. The penalty for Class W misdemeanor varies, depending on whether the offender is convicted of a first, second, or third DUI offense. The maximum possible sentence ranges from 60 days to one year in jail and a $500 to $1,000 fine. Some examples of Nebraska misdemeanors include:

Class I Misdemeanors: Impersonation, third-degree assault
Class II Misdemeanors: Second-degree trespassing, hazing
Class III Misdemeanors: Littering
Class IIIA: Owning a dangerous dog
Class IV: Some gambling-related crimes
Class V: Underage use of tobacco and other smoking products

Nebraska Felony Laws: Offenses and Penalties

Nebraska felonies are considered the most serious criminal offenses in the state. These crimes attract penalties that often exceed one year imprisonment and, in some cases, a death sentence. The exact sentences for felonious crimes will be impacted by the severity of the crime and the individual criminal history. As such, it may differ between circumstances. While some felonies have specific sentencing requirements in addition to the basic sentence. Sentences can also be increased for the second or later offense of some crimes. The following are the categories into which Nebraska felonies are split and examples of the crimes for each Class

Class I Felony ( the most serious felony, punishable by the death penalty): first-degree murder
Class IA Felony (punishable by life imprisonment): kidnapping and arson
Classes IB, IC, ID, and II (punishable by 1 year to 50 years in prison): manslaughter, robbery, possession of illegal substances, human trafficking, respectively
Classes III, IIIA, and IV ( punishable by 1 year to 50 years in prison or fines up to $25,000): forgery, drug distribution, and assisted suicide, respectively.

What are Parole Records in Nebraska?

Nebraska parole records are primarily maintained by the Nebraska Board of Parole, which is tasked with making all parole-related decisions of the state government. Parole records are official documents that include information about the release of an inmate who was set free before the completion of their maximum sentence. Upon getting paroled, the parole board shall require that the offender make a monthly payment of a designated supervision fee as a condition of parole. The board may also impose any conditions of parole to ensure the best interests of the prisoner and the citizens of Nebraska are served.

Are Probation Records Public in Nebraska?

Nebraska probation records are official documents indicating that an inmate has been allowed to serve their sentences out of custody and under strict supervision. These records feature the personal information of the inmate concerned as well as the required conditions imposed by the probation office and probation officer as well as the length of the sentence. Probation sentences are typically issued in proportion to the severity of the crime and the individual's criminal history. Thus, the nature of probation may vary from one offender to the other.

Are Juvenile Criminal Records Public in Nebraska?

Juvenile criminal records, which often include arrest records, juvenile detention center records, and records of proceedings involving juveniles, are confidential but remain accessible to landlords, school organizations, and employers unless the individual petitions to have it expunged. Persons found adjudicated delinquent to a criminal offense may not respond "yes" if asked whether they have ever been convicted of a crime unless probed specifically regarding adjudicated delinquency.

A juvenile criminal record in the state of Nebraska refers to records from the juvenile justice system that pertain to the criminal activity of children or adolescents in the state. As per Nebraska state laws, Juvenile court records are confidential, and members of the public have limited rights to attend hearings involving persons under legal age. Juveniles are not considered convicts but delinquents if proven guilty of a crime.

What is a Nebraska Conviction Record?

Nebraska conviction records are official documents detailing information on the final judgments or sentencing following an indictment and court hearing. These records typically detail the plea of the accused, their official plea in court (guilty, not guilty, or no contest), and the final resolution. Conviction records are only created after the offender's conviction and sentencing and provide information regarding the subject's criminal charges. Conviction records also detail the sentence of the accused, whether prison time, fines, or community service. However, these records exclude final judgments relieved by pardon or set aside/reversed.

Nebraska History and Accuracy of Criminal Records

The accuracy of the data of criminal records depends on the recordkeeping and technological capabilities of the jurisdiction where the record was assembled and later digitized. Nebraska criminal records archives usually tend to go back as far as the 1970s. Criminal and arrest data were centralized and compiled into an organized database. However, the accuracy was more commonly affected by human error. Today, technology has exponentially improved the quality and accuracy of recordkeeping.

How to Find Nebraska Criminal History Record for Free

In Nebraska, criminal history records are maintained by the Central Repository of the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP). The NSP provides a service called the “Nebraska Crime Information Center” (NCIC). Using the “Nebraska Instant Check System” on the website of the NSP, interested members of the public may search for an individual’s criminal history for free. All that is required to facilitate a search is information pertaining to the subject of the record, and other personal details that might narrow their search

Are Police Records Public in Nebraska?

In general, police records are considered public records in Nebraska. Hence, they can be accessed by the public. However, there may be restrictions on which type or amount of information can be released depending on the nature of the record. For instance, records pertaining to juveniles are strictly confidential and require a court order to be accessed. Other types of sensitive information such as witness statements, may also not be available to the public without prior approval from a judge.

Are Police Reports Public Record in Nebraska?

Yes, police reports are considered public records in Nebraska. In accordance with state laws, all law enforcement agencies are obligated to make their reports available upon request from any member of the public who makes a request. These records vary in content but generally contain important information such as incident reports and arrest logs. Depending on the jurisdiction, these may be available online or through physical records kept at local offices.

How to Find Mugshots in Nebraska

Mugshots are photographs taken of individuals when they are arrested and booked into county jails. In Nebraska, they are public records and can often be found in local databases or through state repositories. To find a mugshot, the requester may contact the concerned law enforcement agency or search through their website using the name of the person of interest.