Article 2: Closing Hearings to the Public · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceSection 6-205 lets the court hear preliminary evidence about a possible closure in camera — with counsel and any requesting members of the public present — and requires that hearing to be recorded and available for appellate review even while sealed.
Full Text of § 6-205
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The court may receive preliminary evidence concerning the matters noted in § 6-204 in camera, in the presence of counsel for the parties and such other members of the public who have requested the right to be present.
Persons desiring to be present not represented by counsel shall be considered as appearing Pro Se and shall be bound by the orders of the court in regard to such hearing.
A record shall be made of the hearing in camera. The trial court may order such proceedings sealed until after a final judgment or verdict in the trial court has been rendered. The fact that the case in chief is pending on appeal before the Supreme Court of Nebraska shall not prevent the previously sealed tape from being made available to the public upon request. The sealed record, however, shall be made available for purposes of review by the Supreme Court or other court of competent jurisdiction pertaining to the decision to close the proceedings, in whole or in part.
Plain-English Summary
Before deciding whether to close a proceeding, a court sometimes needs to hear preliminary evidence privately. Section 6-205 allows that in camera hearing, but keeps it from becoming a closed-door secret: counsel for the parties, and any other members of the public who have asked to be present, attend. Anyone who wants to attend without a lawyer is treated as appearing pro se and is bound by whatever orders the court issues about the hearing.
Whatever happens in that in camera session must be recorded, and the trial court may order the recording sealed until after a final judgment or verdict in the case. Sealing does not mean the record disappears — even while the underlying case is on appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court, that fact does not block the sealed recording from eventual public release upon request. And the sealed record has to be available, on request, for review by the Supreme Court or another court with jurisdiction over the closure decision, regardless of the seal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend an in camera hearing on a possible closure under this rule?
Counsel for the parties and any other members of the public who have requested the right to be present.
What happens if someone wants to attend the in camera hearing without a lawyer?
They are treated as appearing pro se and are bound by the court’s orders regarding the hearing.
Must the in camera hearing be recorded?
Yes. A record must be made of the hearing.
Can the trial court seal the recording of an in camera hearing?
Yes, until after a final judgment or verdict has been rendered in the trial court.
Does an appeal to the Nebraska Supreme Court prevent the sealed recording from later becoming public?
No. The rule states that the case being on appeal does not prevent the previously sealed recording from being made available to the public upon request.
Can a reviewing court access the sealed record while deciding whether closure was proper?
Yes. The sealed record must be made available for review by the Supreme Court or another court of competent jurisdiction addressing the closure decision.
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
Also known as:in camera hearing closure nebraskasealed record court closureappeal access sealed recordingpro se in camera hearing rulespreliminary evidence closure hearing