(A) Each problem-solving court shall have a written plan setting forth the procedure for the succession of the judge or judges who serve as the problem-solving court judge in the event of the death, disability, retirement, resignation, removal, elevation to another court, or failure to be retained by the judge then serving the court. For all problem-solving courts in existence as of the date of the adoption of this rule, such succession plans shall be submitted to the Supreme Court for approval no later than May 1, 2017. For problem-solving courts implemented after the effective date of this rule, succession plans shall be included as part of the information submitted to the Supreme Court for approval of the problem-solving court under § 6-1207.
§ 6-1210.Succession planning for problem-solving court judges.
Article 12: Problem-Solving Courts · Last amended February 14, 2019 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceSection 6-1210 requires every problem-solving court to have a written, court-approved succession plan for replacing its judge, complete with required training for the successor, and to review that plan every three years.
Full Text of § 6-1210
(B) Such plan shall require the successor judge so identified to receive training appropriate to the problem- solving court at the National Judicial College, under programs offered by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, or equivalent training as approved by the Nebraska Statewide Problem-Solving Court Coordinator.
(C) The plan shall provide that the training shall take place before the commencement of service of the successor, except in the event of extraordinary circumstances, and with approval of the Supreme Court, the training requirement may be fulfilled after commencement of such service.
(D) Such succession plan shall be reviewed, amended as necessary to reflect current circumstances, and resubmitted to the Supreme Court every 3 years after May 1, 2017. The succession plan may include such other provisions as each problem-solving court shall deem necessary and appropriate for the continued operation of each court.
Amendment History
§ 6-1210 adopted August 5, 2016; § 6-1210(A) amended May 2, 2017; § 6-1210(A) amended February 14, 2019.
Plain-English Summary
Section 6-1210 plans for what happens when a problem-solving court’s judge leaves — through death, disability, retirement, resignation, removal, moving to another court, or losing a retention election. Every problem-solving court has to have a written succession plan addressing that scenario, submitted to the Supreme Court for approval. Courts that already existed when this rule was adopted had until May 1, 2017 to submit theirs; newer courts include their succession plan as part of the approval materials required under Section 6-1207.
The plan has to require the incoming judge to get training suited to the specific problem-solving court — through the National Judicial College, a program offered by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, or an equivalent training the Statewide Problem-Solving Court Coordinator approves. That training is supposed to happen before the new judge starts, though the Supreme Court can allow it to happen afterward if extraordinary circumstances call for it.
Succession plans aren’t a one-time filing: each court has to review its plan, update it as circumstances change, and resubmit it to the Supreme Court every three years after May 1, 2017. Courts can build additional provisions into the plan as they see fit for keeping the program running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every problem-solving court need a succession plan?
Yes. Every problem-solving court must have a written plan for replacing its judge, submitted to the Supreme Court for approval.
What events trigger the need for a successor judge?
Death, disability, retirement, resignation, removal, elevation to another court, or the sitting judge’s failure to be retained.
What training does an incoming problem-solving court judge need?
Training appropriate to that specific court, offered through the National Judicial College, the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, or an equivalent program the Statewide Problem-Solving Court Coordinator approves.
Does the training have to happen before the new judge takes over?
Generally yes, before the successor’s service begins. The Supreme Court can allow it to happen afterward only in extraordinary circumstances.
Does a succession plan need to be updated over time?
Yes. Each court has to review and, if needed, amend its plan, and resubmit it to the Supreme Court every three years after May 1, 2017.
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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