Hamilton County District Court cases in Hamilton County, Aurora, NE
Hamilton County District Court in Aurora, Nebraska, is a state district court serving as the trial court of general jurisdiction for Hamilton County. It adjudicates felony criminal cases; higher-value civil actions; equity matters; and domestic relations cases, including divorce, custody, and child support. The court also exercises appellate jurisdiction over the Hamilton County Court and certain administrative agencies, hearing appeals from county court decisions such as misdemeanors and traffic infractions. Preliminary proceedings in felony cases occur in county court, with trials and sentencing in district court. Routine misdemeanors, traffic, probate, and small claims originate in county court, while the district court handles the more serious criminal and major civil docket and provides appellate review.
Hamilton County District Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | District Court |
| County: | Hamilton |
| Street Address: | 1111 13th St. |
| City: | Aurora |
| Zip Code: | 68818 |
| Phone: | 402-694-3533 |
| Fax: | 402-694-2250 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.co.hamilton.ne.us/clerkdistrictcourt.html |
| Divisions / Services: | https://hamiltoncountyne.com/district-court/ |
| Languages: | English |
| Email: | dcourt@hamilton.net |
| Twitter: | https://twitter.com/nejudicial |
| Linkedin: | https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-dethlefs-88286773/ |
| About / Additional Info: | Each county in the State of Nebraska has a clerk of the district court performing the administrative duties associated with the court. Nebraska law states that counties with 7,000 inhabitants are required to have a clerk of the district court elected by the voters. In counties with less than 7,000 the county board and district judge determine whether there should be a clerk of the district court. If a clerk of the district court does not exist, the county clerk is the ex officio Clerk of the District Court. Besides being the administrative officer of the court, the clerks of the district court are responsible for the record keeping and collection of child support payments, the record keeping of criminal and civil cases, maintenance of the court’s dockets and processing judgments. |
| Wikipedia: | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_County_Courthouse_(Nebraska) |
Services and Case Types Handled in Hamilton County District Court
Hamilton County District Court serves as the county's general trial court. Its core public-facing functions include:
- Case filings and docketing for criminal (felonies, some misdemeanors), civil disputes above statutory limits, family law (divorce, custody, child support), juvenile matters, and protective orders/domestic violence cases.
- Court hearings and trials: scheduling and conducting arraignments, motion hearings, case conferences, and bench or jury trials; issuing orders and judgments.
- Jury services: summoning, qualification, deferrals, orientation, and juror support during trials.
- Records and access: case lookup, copies/certified records, and requests for record sealing/expungement where permitted.
- Customer service and compliance: e-filing/in-person filing assistance, standardized forms, payment of fees/fines, interpreter and ADA accommodations, and deadline/compliance notifications.
The court coordinates case flow among parties and agencies to resolve disputes, enforce laws, and provide timely, accessible justice to the public.