Ogallala Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Ogallala, Nebraska?
Arrest records are public documents in Ogallala, Nebraska, pursuant to the Nebraska Public Records Law (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-712 through 84-712.09). This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests and law enforcement activities, shall be accessible to members of the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Ogallala Municipal Code further reinforces this transparency by maintaining provisions for public access to city records, including those generated by law enforcement agencies.
The Nebraska Public Records Law serves multiple governmental functions:
- Promoting transparency in governmental operations
- Ensuring accountability of law enforcement agencies
- Providing citizens with information about criminal activity in their community
- Supporting the public's right to know about arrests and subsequent legal proceedings
Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy as determined by statute.
How to Look Up Ogallala Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Ogallala have several official channels through which such information may be obtained. The City of Ogallala maintains multiple access points for record retrieval:
Ogallala Police Department Records Division: Citizens may submit requests in person at the department headquarters. Proper identification and completion of a records request form are required. Processing times vary based on record complexity and departmental workload.
Keith County Courthouse: The Clerk of Court maintains records of arrests that have resulted in formal charges. These records may be accessed during regular business hours.
Online Portal Access: The Ogallala Police Department provides limited online access to certain public records through their official website. Users must register and may be subject to nominal processing fees for document retrieval.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712.03, citizens may submit written requests for specific arrest records. Agencies must respond within four business days.
Fees for record retrieval are established by municipal ordinance and are subject to periodic adjustment. Current fee schedules are available at the records division counter or on the official city website.
Ogallala Police Department
411 East 2nd Street
Ogallala, NE 69153
Phone: 308-284-2024
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Keith County Courthouse
511 North Spruce Street
Ogallala, NE 69153
Phone: 308-284-4726
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Contents of an Ogallala Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Ogallala Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Nebraska Administrative Code Title 78, Chapter 2. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
- Identity of the arresting agency and officer(s)
- Booking information including assigned identification numbers
- Custody status and bail determination, if applicable
- Photographic documentation (mugshots) taken during processing
- Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3301
As referenced in the Ogallala Police Department Annual Reports, these records are maintained in both physical and digital formats in accordance with the department's records retention schedule. The completeness of records may vary based on case status and applicable exemptions under state law.
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Medical information protected under HIPAA
- Information pertaining to confidential informants
- Details that might compromise ongoing investigations
Expungement of Arrest Records in Ogallala
Nebraska law provides mechanisms through which qualifying individuals may petition for the expungement or sealing of arrest records maintained by Ogallala authorities. The process is governed by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3523 and related provisions of the City of Ogallala Municipal Code.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
- Cases resulting in no charges being filed within the statutory period
- Dismissal of all charges related to the arrest
- Acquittal following trial proceedings
- Completion of diversion programs for qualifying offenses
- Satisfaction of waiting periods for specific offense categories
The expungement process requires petitioners to:
- File a formal petition with the court of jurisdiction
- Provide certified documentation of case disposition
- Submit to verification of eligibility by the County Attorney's Office
- Attend a judicial hearing if required by the presiding judge
- Pay applicable filing fees (fee waivers available for indigent applicants)
Upon judicial approval, expungement orders are transmitted to all agencies maintaining the subject records, including the Ogallala Police Department, Keith County Sheriff's Office, and Nebraska State Patrol. These agencies must then seal the specified records from public view in accordance with the court order.
Expunged records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings as permitted by statute. The Police Department's Public Service Announcements periodically provide updated information regarding changes to expungement eligibility and procedures.
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