BROKEN BOW— A three day trip set to total over 600 miles and 16 courthouses in Nebraska kicked off today. The annual summer tour, which will run through August 12 concluded with a special proclamation ceremony in Broken Bow in honor of Trial Court Week.
View a video of the proclamation at the end of this story
Trial Court Week is set aside to highlight the critical role of Nebraska’s trial court judges, court clerks and administrators, official court reporters and court staff.
During each tour, Chief Justice Jeffrey Funke and fellow justices meet with various county board members, lawyers, and community leaders to thank them for their dedication to their local courts and the judicial system.
“We honor the Nebraska Trial Courts and their staff for their tireless devotion to the court and their communities,” said Funke during the proclamation. “I urge all citizens, particularly those within the legal community, to recognize Nebraska’s Trial Court staff who continue to make significant contributions to Nebraska’s trial courts and the judicial system.”
According to information from the State of Nebraska Judicial Branch, in the 2026 fiscal year (FY) nearly 300,000 cases were filed in county court in the state, with over $1 million of restitution collected and 770 cases mediated. Over 35,000 cases were filed in district courts in FY 2026 with over $1.6 million in restitution collected and 980 cases mediated.
During the event held at the Judicial Center in Broken Bow on Monday afternoon, Jerry Adams with Adams Land & Cattle spoke of his pride in the local community when he and RJ Thomas set out on the journey to fundraise for a local college campus.
Adams said their fundraising goal was met swiftly, and at the encouragement of John Sennett soon expanded to include the pursuit of a judicial center. In a span of time around five years, groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings and beginning operations were held for a seven acre facility that now serves needs including education, tech, government, judicial, and banking.
As the tour continues on Tuesday, visits will include Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Valley, Greeley, and Wheeler Counties. August 12 visits will include Holt, Antelope, Boone, Nance, Polk, and Butler Counties. Chief Justice Funke said on Monday that during the tour all of the state’s justices will be a part of the tour at some point.
