Article 21: Interim Rules on Livestreaming Proceedings in Nebraska Trial Courts · Last amended July 1, 2020 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentence§ 6-2101 launches a pilot project letting approved Nebraska trial courts livestream proceedings that would otherwise be open to in-person attendance, preserving public access when people cannot physically attend the courthouse.
Full Text of § 6-2101
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It is the intent of the Nebraska Judicial Branch that court proceedings shall be open to the public unless otherwise required by law. When the public is prohibited or otherwise limited from attending court proceedings at the courthouse by reasons outside of the public’s control, use of livestreaming technology is an appropriate method to allow public access to court proceedings.
The Nebraska Supreme Court hereby authorizes approved Nebraska trial courts to use court-authorized video technology to livestream any court proceeding where the public would otherwise have the right to attend in person.
Livestreaming of court proceedings is limited to a pilot project beginning on the date of adoption of this rule, in trial courts where the technology is available, and as authorized by the Nebraska Supreme Court. A schedule shall be implemented by the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation, and shall inform the public of those courtrooms where livestreaming may occur.
The following rules are hereby adopted for this livestream pilot:
Amendment History
§ 6-2101 adopted July 1, 2020.
Plain-English Summary
§ 6-2101 states why Nebraska started livestreaming court proceedings in the first place: proceedings are supposed to be open to the public, and when circumstances outside the public’s control keep people from attending in person, livestreaming is a reasonable substitute for showing up at the courthouse.
The rule authorizes approved trial courts to use court-sanctioned video technology to stream any proceeding the public would otherwise have a right to attend. It frames this as a pilot project rather than a permanent, statewide entitlement — livestreaming happens only in courtrooms where the Nebraska Supreme Court has approved the technology and authorized its use, on a schedule the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation publishes so the public knows which courtrooms offer it.
Everything that follows in Article 21 — who can authorize a stream, what limits apply, and how a trial court handles sensitive evidence during a stream — builds on this stated purpose of preserving public access, not replacing it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nebraska start allowing courts to livestream proceedings?
To preserve public access to open court proceedings when circumstances outside the public’s control keep people from attending in person at the courthouse.
Is livestreaming available in every Nebraska courtroom?
No. It is limited to a pilot project in trial courts where the technology is available and authorized by the Nebraska Supreme Court.
Does livestreaming replace the public’s right to attend court in person?
No. The rule treats livestreaming as an appropriate method of access when in-person attendance is limited, not as a replacement for open courtrooms.
Who decides which courtrooms can livestream proceedings?
The Nebraska Supreme Court authorizes livestreaming courtrooms, and the Administrative Office of the Courts and Probation publishes a schedule of which courtrooms may livestream.
Is livestreaming a permanent rule or a temporary program?
The rule describes livestreaming as limited to a pilot project beginning on the rule’s adoption date, not a permanent feature of every courtroom.
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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