Nebraska Arrest Records

Is Nebraska an Open Arrest Records State?

Nebraska is considered an open arrest records state pursuant to the Nebraska Public Records Law (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-712 through 84-712.09). This designation means that arrest records are classified as public records and are generally accessible to members of the public. The state legislature has determined that transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities, serves the public interest by fostering accountability and enabling informed citizenship.

Under Nebraska law, public records are defined as "all records and documents, regardless of physical form, of or belonging to this state, any county, city, village, political subdivision, or tax-supported district in this state, or any agency, branch, department, board, bureau, commission, council, subunit, or committee of any of the foregoing." This broad definition encompasses arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

The Nebraska Supreme Court has consistently upheld the principle that public records should be accessible unless specifically exempted by statute. While certain sensitive information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations, the fundamental right of public access remains intact.

How to Look Up Nebraska Arrest Records in 2025

As of 2025, Nebraska offers multiple pathways for individuals seeking to access arrest records. The Nebraska State Patrol serves as the central repository for criminal history information in the state and provides several methods for obtaining these records:

In-person requests can be submitted at the Nebraska State Patrol Criminal Identification Division located at 3800 NW 12th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68521. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Telephone: (402) 471-4545.
Online requests may be submitted through the Nebraska State Patrol's Limited Criminal History Search portal, which provides access to fingerprint-based arrest records and resulting dispositions.
Mail requests are accepted by sending a completed request form and appropriate fees to the Nebraska State Patrol, Attn: CID, 3800 NW 12th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68521.
County sheriff's offices maintain local arrest records. For example, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office (575 S 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, Phone: 402-441-6500) provides access to county-level arrest information.
Municipal police departments typically maintain records of arrests within city limits. The Omaha Police Department (505 S 15th Street, Omaha, NE 68102, Phone: 402-444-5600) offers access to arrest records for incidents occurring within Omaha.

Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3523, requestors must pay established fees for record searches. As of 2025, the standard fee for a criminal history record check is $18.00 per name searched, though fees are subject to change by administrative rule.

Contents of a Nebraska Arrest Record

Nebraska arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by the Nebraska Criminal Justice Information System. These records typically include:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint impressions taken during processing
Detention status and bail/bond information
Case disposition information when available
Court docket numbers for associated cases

The Criminal Identification Division of the Nebraska State Patrol, located at 3800 NW 12th Street, Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68521, serves as the central repository for these records. This division is responsible for maintaining the accuracy and completeness of arrest records pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-209.

Understanding the Nebraska Open Records Act

The Nebraska Public Records Law (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-712 through 84-712.09) establishes the framework for public access to government records, including arrest records. This legislation operates under the presumption that government records should be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute.

Key provisions of the Nebraska Public Records Law include:

All citizens have the right to examine public records during normal business hours
Agencies may establish reasonable rules regarding the manner of inspection
Copies may be requested at a cost not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction
Agencies must respond to requests within four business days
Denials must cite the specific statutory exemption justifying withholding

The Nebraska Attorney General's Office (2115 State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509, Phone: 402-471-2682) provides oversight and enforcement of the Public Records Law. Citizens who believe they have been wrongfully denied access to public records may file a complaint with this office or pursue judicial remedies through the district courts.

Certain exemptions do apply to arrest records, particularly those involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or cases where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. These exemptions are narrowly construed to favor public access whenever possible.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Nebraska

Nebraska law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3523. The expungement process removes eligible arrest records from public view, though they may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Nebraska include:

Arrests that did not result in charges being filed within one year
Cases resulting in acquittal or dismissal
Non-traffic infractions after a two-year waiting period
Certain misdemeanor convictions after a three-year waiting period
Select non-violent felony convictions after a seven-year waiting period

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the district court in the county where the arrest occurred. The Nebraska Probation System oversees compliance with court-ordered expungements.

Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with the clerk of the district court in the county where the case was adjudicated. For example, the Douglas County District Court Clerk's Office is located at 1701 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68183, Phone: 402-444-7004.

The Nebraska Criminal Identification Division is responsible for implementing court-ordered expungements in the state's central repository. Once an expungement is granted, the division removes the record from public access databases, though certain governmental entities may retain access for specific authorized purposes.

How to Find Local Arrests in Nebraska?

Local arrest information in Nebraska is maintained by various law enforcement agencies at the county and municipal levels. Members of the public seeking information about recent arrests may utilize several resources:

County Sheriff's Offices maintain booking logs and arrest records for their jurisdictions. For example, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office (575 S 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, Phone: 402-441-6500) provides public access to recent arrest information.
Municipal Police Departments document arrests within city limits. The Lincoln Police Department (575 S 10th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508, Phone: 402-441-7204) maintains records of arrests occurring within the city of Lincoln.
County Detention Centers typically maintain rosters of currently incarcerated individuals. The Douglas County Department of Corrections (710 S 17th Street, Omaha, NE 68102, Phone: 402-444-7400) provides information about individuals currently in custody.
County Court Clerks maintain records of criminal cases resulting from arrests. The Hall County Court Clerk's Office (111 W 1st Street, Grand Island, NE 68801, Phone: 308-385-5860) can provide information about cases filed following arrests in Hall County.
Online Inmate Locator Systems such as the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services inmate search provide information about individuals who have been sentenced to state custody following conviction.

Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712.05, certain arrest information may be temporarily withheld if its release would interfere with an ongoing investigation or prosecution. However, basic booking information is generally considered public record and must be disclosed upon request.

Search Arrest Records in Nebraska

Counties

Adams Cass Cheyenne Dawson Douglas Furnas Gage Garden Hall Hamilton Hitchcock Keith Lancaster Lincoln Madison Phelps Sarpy Saunders Scotts Bluff Stanton Wayne