Cass County Public Records /Cass County Criminal Records

Cass County Criminal Records

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Cass County in 2026

CassNERecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to criminal records maintained by government agencies in Cass County, Nebraska. Members of the public seeking criminal records may find information spanning arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, conviction histories, and incarceration data. The following record categories are among those that may be accessible through official channels:

Arrest and booking records
Criminal court case filings and dispositions
Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
Jail and inmate custody records
Active and historical warrant information
Sex offender registration data
State-level criminal history summaries

Records can be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by Nebraska state agencies. The five primary methods for obtaining criminal records are detailed below.

1. County Court Records: The Cass County District Court and Cass County Court both maintain criminal case files. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during business hours. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for certain requests. Public access terminals are available on-site.

Cass County District Court
346 Main Street
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
Phone: (402) 296-9300
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Cass County Court – Nebraska Judicial Branch
346 Main Street
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
Phone: (402) 296-9370
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

2. Sheriff's Office: The Cass County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail custody information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Fees may apply for copies of reports.

Cass County Sheriff's Office
346 Main Street
Plattsmouth, NE 68048
Phone: (402) 296-9300

3. Online Court Search: The Nebraska Judicial Branch offers the Case Information eServices portal, which allows members of the public to search criminal case records statewide, including Cass County. Users may search by party name, case number, or date range. The portal does not include sealed, expunged, or juvenile records. The Multi-Court Case Calendar provides scheduled hearing information for county and district courts.

4. State Criminal History Repository: The Nebraska State Patrol maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Formal requests for criminal history records, including fingerprint-based background checks, are processed through the Patrol's criminal history record requests portal. Processing times and fees vary depending on the type of request. Fingerprint-based searches are required for official employment and licensing background checks.

Nebraska State Patrol – Criminal History Records Unit
1600 Highway 2
Lincoln, NE 68502
Phone: (402) 471-4545

5. Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Cass County District Court Clerk or the Cass County Court Clerk at 346 Main Street, Plattsmouth, NE 68048. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712, public agencies are required to respond to public records requests within four business days.

What Is Cass County Criminal Records

A criminal record is an official government document that reflects an individual's documented interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial arrest through final case disposition. Under Nebraska law, criminal records encompass a broad range of documentation generated at each stage of the criminal justice process, including charges filed, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing orders, and probation or parole status.

Arrest records and conviction records are legally distinct. An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody; it does not establish guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court, either through a guilty plea or a verdict. Felony records involve offenses classified as the most serious under Nebraska law, while misdemeanor records reflect lesser offenses. Both categories are subject to public disclosure under Nebraska's open records framework, with limited exceptions.

Juvenile records occupy a separate legal category. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2,108, records pertaining to juveniles adjudicated in the juvenile justice system are confidential and not subject to public disclosure in the same manner as adult criminal records. Active warrants are current court orders authorizing law enforcement to take an individual into custody, while historical records reflect past interactions that have been resolved.

The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Cass County include:

Cass County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, booking records, jail custody records
Cass County District Court – felony case files, criminal court records, case dispositions
Cass County Court – misdemeanor and infraction case files
Nebraska State Patrol – statewide criminal history repository
Local police departments – incident reports, arrest records within their jurisdiction

Records are created when law enforcement initiates contact and are updated at each subsequent stage of the criminal justice process, including charging decisions by the county attorney, court proceedings, and post-conviction supervision.

Are Criminal Records Public In Cass County

Criminal records in Cass County are public records under Nebraska law. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712 establishes the general right of public access to government records, providing that "all records maintained by every public body in Nebraska shall be open for inspection by any person at all reasonable times." This statute applies to criminal court records, arrest logs, and booking information maintained by county agencies.

As the Nebraska Judicial Branch notes, "court records are presumed to be open to the public unless a specific statute, court rule, or court order provides otherwise." Adult conviction records, court case filings, and records of criminal proceedings are accessible to members of the public through the county courts and the Nebraska Judicial Branch's online case search system.

Certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure. These include:

Juvenile adjudication records (confidential under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2,108)
Sealed and expunged records
Records subject to active investigative privilege
Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
Records protected by court order

Federal criminal records maintained by the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska are governed by federal rules rather than Nebraska state law. The Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system provides access to federal case information, subject to federal court rules and applicable fees.

How To Find Criminal Records in Cass County Online

Official County Resources: The primary online resources for Cass County criminal records are maintained by the Nebraska Judicial Branch and the county itself.

The Case Information eServices portal allows users to search criminal case records for both the Cass County District Court and Cass County Court by party name, case number, or filing date. The portal contains case status, charge information, and disposition data for cases currently in the system.
The Multi-Court Case Calendar provides scheduled hearing dates and courtroom assignments for pending criminal matters.
The Cass County District Court page provides information on in-person access to court records and clerk services.

State-Level Resources: The Nebraska State Patrol's criminal history record request portal provides access to statewide criminal history summaries. The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services maintains the Incarceration Record Search tool, which allows members of the public to locate individuals currently or previously incarcerated in state facilities, including release dates and offense information.

Search Tips:

Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
Case number searches return the most precise results
Cross-reference multiple databases, as not all agencies share data in real time
Understand that sealed and expunged records will not appear in public search results
Older records predating digitization may not be available online

Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating the implementation of electronic case management systems may not be available through online portals and may require an in-person request. Online search results do not constitute an official background check for employment or licensing purposes.

Can You Search Cass County Criminal Records for Free

Free Options:

1. In-Person Inspection: Nebraska law mandates that public records be available for inspection free of charge. Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712, no fee may be charged for the inspection of public records. Copying fees apply when physical copies are requested. In-person inspection is available at the Cass County District Court and Cass County Court, both located at 346 Main Street, Plattsmouth, NE 68048, during regular business hours.

2. Free Online Databases: The following portals are available at no cost:

Resource	What It Contains	Cost
Nebraska Case Information eServices	Court case records, charges, dispositions	Free
Multi-Court Case Calendar	Scheduled hearings	Free
Incarceration Record Search	State inmate profiles, release dates	Free
PACER – Federal Court Records	Federal case information	Per-page fee after threshold

3. Sheriff's Logs: The Cass County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking records. Members of the public may request inspection of these records at no charge, subject to applicable exemptions.

What Costs Money:

Certified copies of court records: fees set by the Nebraska Supreme Court
Official state criminal history background checks through the Nebraska State Patrol: fee required (currently $25.00 for name-based; $35.00 for fingerprint-based, subject to change)
Staff-assisted record searches beyond standard inspection
Expedited processing requests

What's Included in a Cass County Criminal Record

Identifying Information: A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.

Arrest Information: Arrest records contain the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond information, and the name of the jail facility where the individual was held. The Cass County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records for individuals processed through the county jail.

Court Case Information: Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record. The Cass County District Court is responsible for the record keeping of criminal and civil cases at the district level.

Disposition: Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing information (type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.

Additional Record Elements: A complete criminal record may also include active or recalled warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI or DWI adjudications, traffic violations processed through the criminal courts, and pending charges.

NOT Included in Public Criminal Records:

Juvenile adjudication records
Expunged or sealed records
Records from other states
Federal criminal records (maintained separately through PACER)
Completed diversion program records where expungement has been granted

Accuracy Note: Individuals who identify errors in their criminal history records maintained by the Nebraska State Patrol are advised to contact the court of record, county attorney, or originating law enforcement agency, as the Patrol's records reflect information reported by those sources.

How Long Does Cass County Keep Criminal Records

Legal Requirements: Nebraska's records retention schedules, established under the authority of the Nebraska Records Management Act, govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. The Nebraska State Records Board sets retention schedules applicable to county courts and law enforcement agencies.

Retention by Record Type:

Record Type	Retention Period
Felony conviction records	Permanent
Misdemeanor conviction records	Permanent
Arrest records (no conviction)	Varies; subject to expungement eligibility
Dismissed or acquitted cases	Permanent (disposition noted in record)
Juvenile records	Sealed at age 18 or 19; subject to destruction per court order
Pending cases	Retained until final resolution

Agency Differences:

County courts retain criminal case files permanently under Nebraska court records retention rules.
Sheriff and jail records are subject to agency-specific retention schedules, which may differ from court retention periods.
Nebraska State Patrol repository retains conviction records permanently. The criminal history record requests page provides current guidance on repository records.

Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, while the electronic version is retained in accordance with the applicable schedule.

Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, under Nebraska law, results in the removal of the record from public access and, in certain circumstances, from law enforcement databases. Nebraska's expungement statute provides limited eligibility; individuals seeking expungement of arrest records where no conviction resulted may petition the court under applicable Nebraska statutes.

Old Records Access: Records predating electronic case management systems may require special in-person requests at the courthouse or through the County Clerk. Some historical records may be held in state archives.

Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the FBI are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from state and county records. The U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska maintains federal case records independently of Nebraska state systems.

Practical Implications: Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on an individual's criminal record permanently unless expunged or sealed by court order. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) are subject to a seven-year reporting limitation for certain non-conviction records, though convictions may be reported without time limitation. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.