Pawnee County, NE Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
Pawnee County is part of Nebraska Judicial District 1. The county court and the district court each keep their own records, and the Clerk of the District Court and the County Court clerk handle filings, case lookups and fine payments for the county.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Pawnee County Court and Pawnee County District Court (Nebraska Judicial District 1) |
| Main Address | P.O. Box 471 625 6th Street, Pawnee City, NE 68420 |
| Main Phone | 402-852-2388 |
| Clerk of the District Court | Lindsay Kostecka, P.O. Box 431, Pawnee City, NE 68420, 402-852-2963 |
| County Court Clerk | Lisa Hunzeker |
| Online Case Search | Nebraska county court case search and JUSTICE trial court case search |
| Pay Fines Online | Nebraska Judicial Branch Internet Payment System |
How to Search Pawnee County Court Records
Have the person's full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Pawnee County records are kept by the Clerk of the District Court and the County Court clerk.
Online
Go to the JUSTICE trial court case search on nebraska.gov to search trial court cases.
Kiosks at courthouses and law libraries are free, but a one-time party-name search online has a fee.
Best for: Quick case status lookups
In Person
Go to the Clerk of the District Court at P.O. Box 431, Pawnee City, NE 68420.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call the Clerk of the District Court at 402-852-2963.
Call the County Court at 402-852-2388 for county court cases.
Confirm which office holds your record before you call.
Best for: Confirming which office holds your record
Search by Name on NebraskaCourts.org
Go to NebraskaCourts.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Pawnee County Court Statistics (FY2026)
The Pawnee County Court recorded 388 adult cases and 0 juvenile cases filed in FY 2026, the fiscal year from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, as published in the FY2026 County Court Caseload Report. Only the FY 2026 year is published for this county in that report, so no prior-year comparison is shown.
388
Adult cases filed in FY 2026
0
Juvenile cases filed in FY 2026
153.9
Adult filings per 1,000 residents (population 2,521, 2024)
163
Civil filings, the largest category (42.0% of adult cases)
| Metric | FY 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adult Cases Filed (Total Cases) | 388 |
| Juvenile Cases Filed (Total Cases) | 0 |
| Total Adult and Juvenile Cases Filed | 388 |
| Adult: Protection Orders | 2 |
| Adult: Felony | 14 |
| Adult: Felony 4 | 0 |
| Adult: Misd. | 66 |
| Adult: Adult PSC | 3 |
| Adult: Traffic | 118 |
| Adult: Civil | 163 |
| Adult: Probate | 16 |
| Adult: Guardianship / Conservatorship | 2 |
| Adult: Small Claims | 3 |
| Adult: Adoption | 1 |
| Adult: Domestic Relations | 0 |
| Juvenile: 3A | 0 |
| Juvenile: Delinquency | 0 |
| Juvenile: Status Offender 3B | 0 |
| Juvenile: Mentally Ill and Dangerous 3C | 0 |
| Juvenile: Bridge to Independence | 0 |
| Juvenile: Interstate Compact | 0 |
Civil cases are the largest category at 163 filings, and the report does not publish prior-year counts, so the change from the previous year cannot be stated here.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Pawnee County?
Estimated total filings in Pawnee County moved up over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2025 | ~421 | ~412 | ~+7.7% |
| FY 2024 | ~391 | ~383 | ~+12.4% |
| FY 2023 | ~348 | ~341 | ~+2.7% |
| FY 2022 | ~339 | ~333 | ~-5.8% |
| FY 2021 | ~360 | ~353 | ~-5.8% |
Estimated filings changed +16.9% between FY 2021 and FY 2025, from 360 to 421. The largest annual change was +12.4% in FY 2024. The latest change of +7.7% reflects statewide Nebraska trends. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Nebraska statewide figures scaled by Pawnee County's 0.13% share of the state population.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Pawnee County?
Criminal cases, which include traffic, make up the largest share of Pawnee County adult filings at 51.0% of the 388 cases filed in FY 2026, with civil cases at 42.0%.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2026 | Share of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal (felony, misdemeanor and traffic, as published) | 198 | 51.0% |
| Traffic | 118 | 30.4% |
| Felonies | 14 | 3.6% |
| Nontraffic misdemeanors | 66 | 17.0% |
| Civil | 163 | 42.0% |
| Small claims | 3 | 0.8% |
| Family law (protection orders and domestic relations) | 2 | 0.5% |
| Probate and guardianship | 18 | 4.6% |
| Juvenile | 0 | 0.0% of adult total |
The report publishes only FY 2026 counts for this county, so no category can be shown as growing or falling in this section.
How Does Pawnee County Compare With Nebraska Overall?
Pawnee County is estimated to account for about 0.13% of the 334,817 cases filed in Nebraska courts in FY 2025.
| Metric | Pawnee County | Nebraska | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~421 | 334,817 | ~0.13% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+7.7% | +7.8% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~421 | 2,722 | Estimated at the state level |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~412 | 2,668 | Estimated at the state level |
| Criminal share of filings | ~57.6% | 57.6% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~31.8% | 31.8% | Same as state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~6.5% | 6.5% | Same as state (estimate) |
These county values are estimates built from statewide Nebraska figures, so they track the state mix by design. Actual county dockets may differ. Figures marked with ~ are estimates: Nebraska statewide figures scaled by Pawnee County's 0.13% share of the state population.
Pawnee County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are Nebraska statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Pawnee County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 12.1% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 98.3% of Nebraska's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
4,469
Violent crimes, Nebraska statewide, 2025
28,162
Property crimes, Nebraska statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
221.5
Violent crime rate per 100K, Nebraska statewide, 2025 (population 2,018,006)
-12.1%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, Nebraska statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (32,631 vs 37,116)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 46 | 2.3 | 47 | -2.1% |
| Rape | 907 | 44.9 | 932 | -2.7% |
| Robbery | 378 | 18.7 | 397 | -4.8% |
| Aggravated assault | 3,138 | 155.5 | 3,008 | +4.3% |
| Violent crimes total | 4,469 | 221.5 | 4,384 | +1.9% |
| Burglary | 2,424 | 120.1 | 3,122 | -22.4% |
| Larceny-theft | 21,776 | 1079.1 | 24,429 | -10.9% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 3,743 | 185.5 | 4,916 | -23.9% |
| Property crimes total | 28,162 | 1395.5 | 32,732 | -14.0% |
Rates use the Nebraska 2025 population of 2,018,006. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Pawnee County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Pawnee County Courthouse Locations
Pawnee County has 2 listed court offices in the official Nebraska courts directory. Check your notice or ticket for the office that holds your case before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of the District Court, Pawnee County | P.O. Box 431, Pawnee City, NE 68420 | 402-852-2963 | See location page |
| County Court, Pawnee County | P.O. Box 471 625 6th Street, Pawnee City, NE 68420 | 402-852-2388 | See location page |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Pawnee County?
In Pawnee County, Nebraska, cases are heard in the County Court or the District Court, depending on the type of case.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | County Court for Pawnee County | Traffic infractions are filed in county court. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Check the ticket for payment and dispute instructions. |
| Misdemeanor | County Court for Pawnee County | County court handles misdemeanor charges. |
| Felony | District Court for Pawnee County | Felony cases are heard in district court after initial county court proceedings. |
| DUI | County Court for Pawnee County | First-offense DUI is typically a county court misdemeanor; felony DUI goes to district court. |
| Domestic violence | County Court for Pawnee County or District Court for Pawnee County | Criminal charges start in county court; protection orders are filed in district court. |
| Civil lawsuit | County Court for Pawnee County or District Court for Pawnee County | The amount in dispute and type of claim decide which court applies. |
| Small claims | County Court for Pawnee County | Small claims is a division of county court. |
| Eviction | County Court for Pawnee County | Eviction cases are filed in county court. |
| Divorce | District Court for Pawnee County | District court handles divorce and legal separation. |
| Child custody or support | District Court for Pawnee County | Custody and support are decided in district court, with some matters in juvenile court. |
| Probate or estate | County Court for Pawnee County | County court handles wills, estates, and guardianships. |
| Juvenile case | Juvenile Court or County Court for Pawnee County | Separate juvenile courts exist in some counties; elsewhere county court handles juvenile cases. |
| Appeal | Nebraska Court of Appeals or Nebraska Supreme Court | Appeals from district court go to the appellate courts; federal matters go to the U.S. District Court. |
Pawnee County has one county court and one district court in Nebraska Judicial District 1, and the clerk's office can confirm where a specific matter is heard.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Trial court matter (criminal, traffic, civil, small claims or family law) | Pawnee County Court or Pawnee County District Court | Confirm the court with the clerk at 402-852-2388 or 402-852-2963. |
| Juvenile case | Pawnee County Court or District Court | Separate juvenile courts exist only in Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy counties, so confirm the court with the clerk. |
| Federal case | U.S. District Court for Nebraska | Federal cases are not handled by the county court or district court. |
| Appeal | Nebraska Court of Appeals or Nebraska Supreme Court | Appeals go to the state appellate courts, not the county. |
| Workers' compensation claim | Nebraska Workers' Compensation Court | The Workers' Compensation Court is a statewide court. |
Are Pawnee County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Nebraska court records are public, with exceptions set by law and court policy. The Court Records Search Policy for Nebraska Courts governs access, and online case records are described as public record on the Nebraska Judicial Branch e-services page.
Public records
Most case records in the county court and district court are open for inspection through the clerk's office and the statewide case search.
Restricted or confidential records
Records that law or a court order makes confidential are not released through the public search or the clerk's counter.
Online access
JUSTICE trial court case search lets you look up trial court cases statewide. Online search shows case information, and documents not available online must be requested from the clerk.
In-person access
Visit the Clerk of the District Court at P.O. Box 431, Pawnee City, NE 68420, or call 402-852-2963 to confirm which office holds your record.
How to Search Pawnee County Court Records Online
Use the statewide and county search tools to find Pawnee County court records by case type, and ask the clerk for documents that are not online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, small claims or family law.
- Open the JUSTICE trial court case search or the county search at the county case search.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details for status, parties and scheduled dates.
- Call the clerk at 402-852-2963 to request documents that are not online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | JUSTICE trial court case search | Case information for trial court criminal cases | Documents may require a request to the clerk |
| Traffic | JUSTICE trial court case search | Case information for traffic matters in the trial courts | Payment is handled separately through the payment system |
| Civil | JUSTICE trial court case search | Case information for civil cases | Documents may require a request to the clerk |
| Small claims | JUSTICE trial court case search | Case information for small claims | Documents may require a request to the clerk |
| Family law | JUSTICE trial court case search | Case information for family law matters | Restricted details are not shown in the public search |
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Pawnee County
Pawnee County fines, costs and fees can be paid online through the Nebraska Judicial Branch Internet Payment System.
- Online: Pay fines, costs and fees listed on the court's account at the Nebraska Judicial Branch Internet Payment System. Only the fines and fees the system lists can be paid there.
Parking tickets are issued by the citing agency, so check the ticket for how to pay them rather than the county court.
Pawnee County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Pawnee County court records?
Use the JUSTICE trial court case search by name or case number, or contact the Clerk of the District Court at 402-852-2963.
Are Pawnee County court records public?
Most are, under Nebraska's Court Records Search Policy, but records that law or a court order makes confidential are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case in Pawnee County?
Search by name in the JUSTICE trial court case search or call the Clerk of the District Court at 402-852-2963.
How do I find a court date in Pawnee County?
Check your ticket or notice, look up the case in the statewide search, or call the clerk at 402-852-2388.
How do I pay a traffic ticket in Pawnee County?
Pay online through the Nebraska Judicial Branch Internet Payment System, which lists the fines and fees it can accept.
How many cases are filed in Pawnee County each year?
Pawnee County recorded 388 adult cases and 0 juvenile cases filed in FY 2026, the only fiscal year published for the county in this data.
What is the most common type of case in Pawnee County?
Civil cases were the largest category in FY 2026 at 163 adult filings, or 42.0% of the 388 total.
Is crime in Nebraska rising or falling?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes rose 1.9% to 4,469 in 2025 from 4,384 in 2024, and property crimes fell 14.0% to 28,162 from 32,732, as reported to the FBI. These are Nebraska statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Pawnee County District CourtMore Info
| Address: | 625 6th St., Pawnee City, NE, 68420 |
| Phone Number: | 402-852-2963 |
| Fax: | 402-852-2963 |
| Website: | https://co.pawnee.ne.us/webpages/district_court/district_court.html |
Useful Links
- Nebraska Judicial Branch The official website providing comprehensive information about the state's court system, services, and judicial resources.
- Pawnee County, NE - Public Records Search An online portal to access public records for Pawnee County, including court and property records accessible to the public.
- Nebraska Secretary of State Offers a variety of state services, including business, voter, and historical records, pertinent to legal and public inquiries.
- National Center for State Courts Provides extensive resources on state courts, offering research, news, and data to support legal professionals and public understanding.
- Omaha Bar Association The association offers support and resources for lawyers and citizens concerning legal advice and professional legal networking opportunities.
- Nebraska Library Commission Offers access to statewide library databases, which can include links to legal reference materials and guides for research assistance.
- Nebraska State Bar Association Professional association providing legal information resources and membership services to attorneys and the public for legal aid.
- Pawnee County - Nebraska Extension Provides education and information services relevant to community development, laws concerning agriculture, and local regulatory frameworks.
- Nebraska DHHS - Court Reports Offers resources for accessing court reports relating to health and human services cases under Nebraska’s jurisdiction.
- Nebraska.gov: Courts Entry to information about state courts featuring links to court rules, documents, and service locations throughout Nebraska.
- The Law Society Offers a directory of legal types and access to extensive legal research tools and attorney resources across jurisdictions.
- Pawnee County Courts - Nebraska Judicial Branch Directs to specific resources and contacts within the Pawnee County Courts for legal help and procedural guidance.
- FindLaw: Nebraska Law Offers free legal information, including laws and regulations, along with directories of legal aid services in Nebraska.
- American Bar Association - Legal Resources Provides resources and directories for legal aid, professional standards, and public education on American laws and legal rights.
- Public Records on FindLaw Facilitates access to a multitude of public records and legal documents for counties across the United States, including Nebraska.
- Pawnee County Government The official portal for Pawnee County, offering information on administrative services, courthouse locations, and public records access.
- Nebraska Legal Services Provides access to free legal services for low-income individuals, offering guidance and representation in civil cases across Nebraska.
- FamilySearch - Free Family History and Genealogy Records Helpful for accessing genealogical records, which are part of public records often found alongside other judicial documents.
- Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory Comprehensive directory helping in finding attorneys and law firms in addition to offering legal resources and guides.
- Pawnee County Historical Society Provides access to archival materials including court-related documents, aiding historical or genealogical research within the county.
Table of Contents
- Pawnee County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Pawnee County Court Records
- Pawnee County Court Statistics (FY2026)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Pawnee County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Pawnee County?
- How Does Pawnee County Compare With Nebraska Overall?
- Pawnee County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Pawnee County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Pawnee County?
- Are Pawnee County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Pawnee County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Pawnee County
- Pawnee County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links