Article 16: Jurors and Jury Selection · Last amended 2020 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section has the jury commissioner strike from the master key list anyone whose completed qualification form shows they lack § 25-1650’s qualifications, keep a record of every name struck for inspection by the court and case attorneys, and lets an entitled person ask a district judge for the commissioner’s reasons behind a particular strike.
Full Text of § 25-1659
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(1) If the jury commissioner finds, after reviewing a completed juror qualification form, that a potential juror does not possess the qualifications of a juror as set forth in section 25-1650 or is excluded by the terms of section 25-1650, the jury commissioner shall strike such potential juror's name from the master key list and make a record of each name stricken, which record shall be kept in the jury commissioner's office subject to inspection by the court and attorneys of record in cases triable to a jury pending before the court, under such rules as the court may prescribe.
(2) Any person entitled to access to the list of names stricken may make a request to the judge of the district court, in accordance with section 25-1673, for an explanation of the reasons a name has been stricken. If the judge is satisfied that such request is made in good faith and in accordance with section 25-1673, the judge shall direct the jury commissioner to appear before the judge at chambers and, in the presence of the requesting person, state his or her reasons for striking such name.
Source
Laws 1915, c. 248, § 5, p. 570; C.S.1922, § 9099; C.S.1929, § 20-1629; Laws 1939, c. 18, § 14, p. 106; C.S.Supp.,1941, § 20-1629; R.S.1943, § 25-1629; Laws 1953, c. 7, § 1, p. 221; Laws 1953, c. 72, § 9, p. 229; Laws 1955, c. 9, § 4, p. 266; Laws 1977, LB 283, § 2; Laws 1979, LB 234, § 9; Laws 1985, LB 113, § 3; R.S.1943, (2016), § 25-1629; Laws 2020, LB387, § 16.
Plain-English Summary
Section 25-1659 describes the review step that follows a completed juror qualification form. If the jury commissioner, after reviewing the form, finds that a potential juror does not meet § 25-1650’s qualifications or is excluded under that section’s terms, the commissioner strikes that person’s name from the master key list. Each strike gets recorded, and that record stays in the jury commissioner’s office, open to inspection by the court and by attorneys of record in cases triable to a jury pending before the court, subject to whatever rules the court prescribes.
That inspection right comes with a follow-up mechanism. Anyone entitled to see the list of stricken names may ask the district judge, under the good-faith request procedure in § 25-1673, for an explanation of why a particular name was struck. If the judge finds the request made in good faith and consistent with § 25-1673, the judge directs the jury commissioner to appear in chambers and, with the requesting person present, state the reasons for the strike.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does a jury commissioner strike a name from the master key list?
After reviewing a completed juror qualification form, if the commissioner finds the potential juror does not possess the qualifications set out in § 25-1650 or is excluded under that section.
Is there a record of every name struck from the master key list?
Yes. The jury commissioner keeps a record of each stricken name in the commissioner’s office, subject to inspection by the court and by attorneys of record in cases pending before the court that are triable to a jury.
Can a party’s attorney find out why a specific name was struck from the jury list?
An attorney of record entitled to access the list may ask the district judge, under § 25-1673, for an explanation, and if the judge finds the request made in good faith, the commissioner must state the reasons in chambers.
Who decides whether a request to know why a name was struck is made in good faith?
The district judge, applying the standard in § 25-1673.
Is the record of stricken names open to the public generally?
The section limits inspection to the court and to attorneys of record in cases pending before the court that are triable to a jury, subject to whatever rules the court prescribes.
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
Also known as:striking name from master key list nebraskawhy was my name struck jury listjury commissioner review qualification formattorney inspect stricken jurors recordsection 25-1659 nebraska