Article 16: Jurors and Jury Selection · Last amended 2020 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section lets the jury commissioner draw a court-directed number of potential jurors from the master key list, before or during a jury term, using either a manual process or a jury management system, then investigate them and deliver a juror qualification form to each one drawn.
Full Text of § 25-1655
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(1) Prior to the jury term or at any time during the jury term, the jury commissioner may draw potential jurors from the master key list for service on petit jury panels that will be needed throughout the jury term. The jury commissioner shall draw such number of potential jurors from the master key list as the judge or judges direct.
(2) In drawing the names of potential jurors, the jury commissioner may use a manual jury selection process or a jury management system. The jury commissioner shall investigate the potential jurors so drawn pursuant to the two- step qualifying and summoning system or the one-step qualifying and summoning system.
(3)(a) If the jury commissioner uses the two-step qualifying and summoning system, he or she shall deliver to each potential juror a juror qualification form pursuant to section 25-1657.
(b) If the jury commissioner uses the one-step qualifying and summoning system, he or she shall deliver to each potential juror a juror qualification form pursuant to section 25-1657 and shall serve the potential juror with a summons pursuant to section 25-1660.
Source
Laws 2020, LB387, § 12.
Plain-English Summary
Section 25-1655 governs the front end of jury selection — pulling names from the master key list built under § 25-1654 for future service. Before the jury term begins, or at any point during it, the jury commissioner may draw the number of potential jurors the judge or judges direct from the master key list, to cover the petit jury panels the term will need.
The commissioner may draw those names using a manual jury selection process, drawing from a wheel or box in a judge’s presence, or through an electronic jury management system, and then investigates the potential jurors drawn. That investigation proceeds under one of the two systems § 25-1646 defines: if the commissioner uses the two-step qualifying and summoning system, each potential juror receives a juror qualification form under § 25-1657, with a summons to follow later under § 25-1660 for those who qualify and are drawn. If the commissioner uses the one-step system, each potential juror receives the qualification form and is served with a summons at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can a jury commissioner draw potential jurors from the master key list?
Prior to the jury term or at any point during it, drawing whatever number the judge or judges direct.
Can the commissioner use an electronic system to draw potential jurors?
Yes. Section 25-1655 allows either a manual jury selection process or a jury management system for drawing the names.
What happens after potential jurors are drawn from the master key list?
The jury commissioner investigates them and, depending on whether the two-step or one-step qualifying and summoning system is used, sends a juror qualification form alone or a form together with a summons.
What is the difference between how the two systems handle a newly drawn potential juror?
Under the two-step system, the potential juror gets only the qualification form at first, with a summons to follow. Under the one-step system, the potential juror gets both the form and the summons together.
Does this section itself set a deadline for returning the qualification form?
No. Section 25-1657 sets the ten-day deadline and delivery details for the juror qualification form.
Source & verification. Section text and the amendment-history citation are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Legislature, Revisor of Statutes, enacted by the
Nebraska Legislature. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
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