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Lincoln Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lincoln, Nebraska?

Arrest records are public documents in Lincoln, Nebraska, pursuant to the Nebraska Public Records Law (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 84-712 to 84-712.09). This legislation establishes the fundamental right of citizens to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies. The statute specifically provides that "all citizens of this state and all other persons interested in the examination of the public records" may examine public records during normal business hours.

The public nature of arrest records serves multiple civic purposes:

Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
Enables community awareness of criminal activity
Facilitates accountability of government agencies
Supports journalistic reporting on matters of public interest
Allows individuals to conduct background checks for employment or housing purposes

Arrest records typically become available after the booking process is completed. These documents contain information about individuals apprehended by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity, though it must be noted that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

How to Look Up Lincoln Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Lincoln have several methods available for accessing this information. The Lincoln Police Department and Lancaster County Sheriff's Office maintain these records in accordance with state public records laws. Individuals may obtain arrest records through the following channels:

In-Person Requests:

Lincoln Police Department Records Division 575 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: (402) 441-7751 Lincoln Police Department Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Lancaster County Sheriff's Office 575 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: (402) 441-6500 Lancaster County Sheriff Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Online Access:

The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office provides an online report lookup system for incident reports and motor vehicle accident reports
The Lincoln Open Data Portal contains searchable crime data and reports

Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted to either agency listed above. Pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712(4), agencies must respond to requests within four business days. Requests should include:

Full name of the individual
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Case number (if available)
Requestor's contact information

Third-Party Services: Commercial background check services aggregate public records, including arrests. However, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of these services cannot be guaranteed by government agencies.

Contents of a Lincoln Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Lincoln law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Nebraska Administrative Code Title 78, Chapter 2. These records typically include:

Biographical information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Last known address
- Social security number (partially redacted in public copies)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed
- Booking number and facility
- Arrest circumstances and probable cause summary
Case processing information:
- Court case number (if assigned)
- Bond amount and conditions
- Initial appearance date
- Disposition of charges (if available)
Identification records:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint classification
- Identification numbers assigned by local and state agencies

Certain information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712.05, including juvenile records, medical information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lincoln

Nebraska law provides mechanisms for the expungement or sealing of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3523, which establishes criteria and procedures for removing arrest information from public access.

Eligibility Criteria: Individuals may petition for expungement if:

No charges were filed within one year of arrest
Charges were dismissed by the prosecutor
The individual was acquitted at trial
The conviction was set aside or pardoned
The arrest was due to mistaken identity

Petition Process:

File a petition with the district court in the county where the arrest occurred
Provide notice to the county attorney
Attend a hearing where a judge will determine if the statutory requirements are met
If granted, obtain a court order directing all agencies to seal the record

Lancaster County District Court 575 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone: (402) 441-7291 Lancaster County District Court Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Effect of Expungement: When an arrest record is expunged:

The record is removed from public access
The individual may legally state they have not been arrested in response to questions on applications
Law enforcement agencies retain access to the sealed records for limited purposes
The record remains available for certain licensing and employment background checks as specified in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-3523(5)

Expungement does not automatically restore all civil rights. Separate procedures exist for restoration of rights lost due to felony convictions under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-2264.

Legal Limitations on Arrest Record Use

Nebraska law imposes restrictions on how arrest records may be used, particularly in employment contexts. Pursuant to the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 48-1101 et seq.), employers must exercise caution when using arrest records in hiring decisions.

Key limitations include:

Employers may not have a blanket policy of refusing to hire anyone with an arrest record
An arrest without conviction cannot be used as the sole basis for denying employment
Employers must consider the relationship between the alleged offense and job duties
Records must be used in a manner that does not have a disparate impact on protected classes

The Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission enforces these provisions:

Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission 301 Centennial Mall South, 5th Floor Lincoln, NE 68509 Phone: (402) 471-2024 Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Additionally, the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.) regulates how consumer reporting agencies report arrest records and requires employer disclosure when adverse actions are taken based on such reports.