Sections 6-1201 through 6-1210 shall govern all problem-solving courts established by and within the Nebraska judicial system. Problem-solving courts shall exist and be established only upon approval of the Nebraska Supreme Court.
§ 6-1201.Establishment.
Article 12: Problem-Solving Courts · Last amended September 21, 2016 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceSection 6-1201 states that Sections 6-1201 through 6-1210 govern every problem-solving court in the Nebraska judicial system and that a problem-solving court can exist only with the Nebraska Supreme Court’s approval.
Full Text of § 6-1201
Amendment History
§ 6-1201 amended September 21, 2016.
Plain-English Summary
Section 6-1201 opens Article 12 with a short but firm statement: no district, county, or juvenile court in Nebraska can run a problem-solving court — a specialty court built around drug treatment, DUI supervision, veterans’ services, or similar programs — without the Nebraska Supreme Court signing off first. The rules that follow in Sections 6-1202 through 6-1210 govern every problem-solving court the judicial system establishes, regardless of where in the state it operates.
That approval requirement puts the Supreme Court in the position of gatekeeper for how these specialty courts spread across Nebraska. A local court that wants to launch or expand one of these programs has to go through the process the later sections in this article describe, rather than setting one up on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a county or district court start a problem-solving court on its own?
No. Section 6-1201 requires the Nebraska Supreme Court’s approval before any problem-solving court can exist.
What courts do these rules cover?
Sections 6-1201 through 6-1210 govern every problem-solving court established within the Nebraska judicial system, whether it operates in a district, county, or juvenile court.
What counts as a “problem-solving court”?
Section 6-1202 defines the term in detail — generally, programs like drug, DUI, veterans, or family treatment courts aimed at reducing repeat offenses through treatment and supervision.
What happens if a court sets up a specialty program without Supreme Court approval?
The rule doesn’t authorize that path. Establishment and expansion both require the approval process described in Section 6-1207.
Where does the Supreme Court get authority to require this approval?
Section 6-1203 identifies the constitutional and statutory authority behind the entire article.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Nebraska Judicial Branch, adopted by the
Supreme Court of Nebraska. Last verified July 22, 2026. ·
Official source
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