Madison County
Founded in 1867, Madison County is located in the northeastern part of Nebraska. The county has a population of over 35,000 residents and a land area of 572.62 square miles. Its government seat is Madison, while its largest city is Norfolk.
There are two trial courts in Madison County, namely the District Court and the County Court. The District Court has original jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases, including felonies, equity, domestic relations cases, and general civil claims in which the amount in controversy is more than $51,000. It also hears appeals from the County Court and various administrative agencies.
The County Court exercises jurisdiction over lesser criminal cases such as misdemeanors, felony preliminary hearings, infractions, and city ordinance violations. Civil cases heard by the court include domestic relations, probate, juvenile, small claims, and general civil cases involving $51,000 or less.
Under state laws, anyone may access court records in Madison County, provided that such records are not confidential or restricted by court order. Public court records consist of official records of cases handled by the district and county courts, including pleadings, motions, judgments, orders, transcripts, and indexes. These records are compiled, stored, and preserved by the clerks of the District Court and County Court.
The court clerks in Madison County maintain various types of court records, including the following:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Small claims records
- Probate records
- Juvenile records
- Domestic relations records
- Traffic records
Residents of Madison County may access case documents from district and county courts through the JUSTICE Case Search Portal or public access terminals at the courthouse where the case was heard. Searching through the JUSTICE portal typically requires a $15 fee per search. For those unable to use the portal, copies of court records may be obtained by contacting the clerk's office in the appropriate court. Note that access to certain records, such as sealed or juvenile cases, may be restricted.
