In misdemeanor cases, demands for a jury trial must be made within 10 days following entry of a not guilty plea.
§ 6-1423.Demand for jury trials.
Article 14: Uniform County Court Rules of Practice and Procedure · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceIn a misdemeanor case in county court, a defendant who wants a jury trial must demand one within 10 days after entering a not-guilty plea, or the case proceeds to a bench trial instead.
Full Text of § 6-1423
Plain-English Summary
Section 6-1423 sets a short, hard clock. Once a defendant charged with a misdemeanor enters a not-guilty plea, the demand for a jury trial has to follow within 10 days. Miss that window and the case moves forward without a jury, decided by the judge alone.
The short deadline serves the court’s calendar as much as it serves the defendant. County courts juggle heavy misdemeanor dockets, and knowing early whether a case needs a jury panel lets the court schedule accordingly instead of discovering the need for a jury on the eve of trial. For the defendant, it means the decision about a jury can’t be put off — anyone weighing that choice should raise it with counsel right after the arraignment, not later in the case.
The rule speaks only to misdemeanor cases in county court. It says nothing about felony proceedings or civil matters, so it shouldn’t be read to set a jury-demand deadline outside the setting it names.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to demand a jury trial after pleading not guilty to a misdemeanor?
Ten days from the date the not-guilty plea is entered.
What happens if I miss the 10-day deadline?
The rule doesn’t provide a grace period on its face — the case proceeds without the jury demand having been timely made, meaning a bench trial rather than a jury trial.
Does the 10-day period run from arraignment or from the plea itself?
It runs from entry of the not-guilty plea, which typically happens at arraignment but is the triggering event either way.
Does this rule apply to felony cases in county court?
No. Section 6-1423 is written to apply to misdemeanor cases specifically.
Does this rule apply to civil cases in county court?
No. It addresses jury demands in misdemeanor criminal cases, not civil matters.
Can I demand a jury trial before I’ve entered a plea?
The rule ties the 10-day period to the not-guilty plea, so the demand is meant to follow that plea rather than precede the case entirely.
Source & verification. Section text is
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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