Only as specifically authorized by the issuing judge, fax transmission may be used for the issuance of orders or warrants, including, but not limited to:
§ 6-612.Orders and warrants.
Article 6: Fax Filing · Last amended April 13, 2022 · Last verified July 22, 2026
In one sentenceThis section lets a judge authorize fax transmission of certain orders and warrants -- arrest or search warrants, criminal or juvenile custody orders, protection orders, and domestic relations orders among them -- with the faxed copy carrying the same force as the original.
Full Text of § 6-612
(A) an arrest or search warrant;
(B) release or detention of a defendant in custody for a criminal proceeding;
(C) an order or warrant for placing a juvenile in custody or for release or detention of a person subject to the Nebraska Juvenile Code;
(D) a temporary restraining order or protection order; and
(E) an order in a domestic relations case. For all procedural and statutory purposes, a faxed document shall have the same force and effect as the original document issued by a court.
Amendment History
§ 6-612 amended June 9, 2021, effective January 1, 2022; § 6-612 amended April 13, 2022.
Plain-English Summary
Some court orders cannot wait for paper to travel. Section 6-612 lets fax transmission be used for issuing orders or warrants, but only as specifically authorized by the issuing judge — this is not a blanket allowance the way non-attorney filing under § 6-601 can be. The listed categories include an arrest or search warrant; an order on release or detention of a defendant in criminal custody; an order or warrant placing a juvenile in custody, or addressing release or detention of someone subject to the Nebraska Juvenile Code; a temporary restraining order or protection order; and an order in a domestic relations case. The list is illustrative rather than closed, since the section says fax may be used for orders and warrants "including, but not limited to" those categories.
Whatever the category, the section is clear about effect: for all procedural and statutory purposes, a faxed order or warrant has the same force and effect as the original document issued by the court. A judge or officer acting on the faxed copy is acting on the real thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of orders or warrants can be sent by fax under this section?
Examples include arrest or search warrants, custody or release orders for a defendant or juvenile, temporary restraining or protection orders, and orders in domestic relations cases, though the list is not exhaustive.
Who has to authorize fax transmission of an order or warrant?
The issuing judge. Fax transmission may be used for issuing an order or warrant only as specifically authorized by that judge.
Does a faxed order carry the same legal weight as the original?
Yes. For all procedural and statutory purposes, a faxed document has the same force and effect as the original document issued by the court.
Is the list of five categories in § 6-612 the only orders that can be faxed?
No. The section lists arrest and search warrants, custody and release orders, temporary restraining or protection orders, and domestic relations orders as examples, using "including, but not limited to" language.
Does this section cover orders in juvenile cases?
Yes. It specifically includes an order or warrant for placing a juvenile in custody or for release or detention of a person subject to the Nebraska Juvenile Code.
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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