Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican delivered the State of the Judiciary Address Friday morning.
During the address, Heavican credited technology for keeping the court system going during the pandemic. He says the use of services including Zoom and WebEx was so successful he would like to see that trend continue.
Heavican says, “Surveys, in both Nebraska and nationally, have found that the majority of respondents believe courts should continue to offer hearings by video when possible, even after the pandemic wanes. Such proceedings allow the courts to hear more cases and resolve them more quickly. Proceedings conducted electronically can be more efficient for attorneys and their clients and video hearings eliminate the need, at least for some, to take off work and, or locate childcare to travel to the courthouse. Hence, we have challenged the presiding judges in each of our judicial districts to continue to use remote technology when possible and update court rules in an effort to bring more uniformity and clarity to modified court operations.”
Heavican says the courts adapted well to the pandemic but the judicial branch continues to struggle with worker shortages.