The Nebraska Supreme Court is set to hold a special session at Kearney High School on April 29, 2025. This event, taking place in the school's auditorium, will provide students with a unique opportunity to observe the judicial process up close. The session was arranged following an invitation from Principal Jeff Ganz.
This initiative aligns with the Court's ongoing efforts to promote civics education and public engagement, supported by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation. Principal Ganz will address students as the auditorium is converted into a temporary courtroom for the occasion.
Local attorney Tom Tye is scheduled to discuss Law Day's history and importance, while Judge John Rademacher will outline distinctions between trial and appellate courts. The justices are expected to hear arguments in two cases: "State of Nebraska v. John Parks, Sr." from Douglas County and "Estate of Paul A. Knapp" from Dodge County.
As usual for Nebraska Supreme Court sessions, this event will be open to the public. Audio and most video recordings of previous proceedings can be accessed through the oral argument archive on the Nebraska Judicial Branch website.
In Nebraska, judicial power is distributed among several courts including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district courts, and county courts—all under the administrative direction of the Supreme Court. Additionally, there are separate juvenile courts in Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties as well as a statewide Workers’ Compensation Court.