Duties of the Sheriff
Many duties performed by the Office of the County Sheriff are similar to those performed by the State Patrol and the various city police departments. However, there are significant responsibilities placed upon the Sheriff by state statute. These include the following:
Accident Investigation
All peace officers are here-by specifically directed and authorized and it shall be deemed and considered a part of the official duties…to enforce the provisions of the Nebraska Rules of the Road… All other peace officers shall have the power… to investigate traffic accidents..” (60-683)
Civil Process
It shall be the duty of the sheriffs of the several counties to execute or serve all writs and process issued by any county court… (23-1701.04)
It shall be the duty of the sheriff to serve or otherwise execute, according to law, and return writs or other legal process issued by lawful authority and directed or committed to the sheriff … (23-1701)
The sheriff shall execute every summons, order or other process and return the same as required by law… (23-1701-06)
Contract Law Enforcement
Any city of the first or second class or any village may … enter into a contract with the county board of its county for police services to be provided by the county sheriff. (19-3801)
Coroner
When there is no coroner…the sheriff of the county is authorized to discharge the duties of coroner in relation to dead bodies. (23-1817)
Crime Prevention
The sheriff and his deputies are conservators of the peace, and to keep the same, to prevent crime ,to arrest any person liable thereto, or to execute process of law… (23-1704)
Criminal Investigation
It shall be the duty of the sheriff …to preserve the peace in his county, to ferret out crime, to apprehend and arrest all criminals…to secure evidence of all crimes committed in his county and present the same to the county attorney and the grand jury… (23-1710)
District / County Court
The sheriff shall attend upon the district court as it’s session in his or her county…and attend the sessions of the county court when required by the judge. (23-1705)
Extraditions
When the return to this state of a person charged with a crime in this county is required, the extradition proceeding begins with the office of the sheriff including safe transportation of that person… (29-751)
Jailer / Duty of Sheriff
Except in counties where a county board of corrections exists and has assumed responsibility over the jail… the sheriff shall have charge and custody of the jail… (23-1703)
Services Provided by the Sheriff’s Office
Paper Service:
All papers issued to Butler County Sheriff’s Office for service; whether it be from the Courts, the attorneys, or the litigants themselves, must have a prepaid deposit of $100.00. There are no exceptions to this requirement. This deposit is separate from any filing fees paid to the Court Clerk to have a paper issued so it will be necessary to either come directly to the Sheriff’s Office to leave the deposit or attach with papers being issued from court. Any paper received where fees are not obtained prior to service, will be returned directly to the Courts, with no service attempted.
Accident Reports:
All accident reports need to allow 10 days to be completed and requested from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Manager. An accident report fee is $5.00 and for each picture requested is $.50, there are no exceptions to this cost.
Handgun Permits:
Butler County residents can only apply in Butler County. All handgun permit applications are available Monday-Friday, with the exception of Holidays, from 8:30am-5:00pm. The cost is $5.00 and must be in exact cash or a check. There are no exceptions to this cost. Current Nebraska Driver’s license is required at time of application.
Title Inspections:
All title inspections are available Monday-Friday, with the exception of Holidays, from 8:30am-4:30pm. The cost is $10.00 and must be in exact cash or a check. There are no exceptions to this cost. All vehicles requiring an inspection must have the original title as well as the vehicle present. If there is a lien holder or leasing company who has possession of the title document, you will need a certified copy from the Butler County Treasurer’s Office.
Sex Offender Registry:
Any person subject to the Sex Offender Registration Act (Per Neb § 29-4003) is required to report in person to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office within three (3) working days after becoming subject to the Act. If a sex offender has moved to the State and has never registered in the State of Nebraska, they must appear at an NSP Troop Headquarters within three business days of arrival in the state.
All changes of information, periodic verifications and 30-day transient updates must be done in person at the Butler County Sheriff’s Office anytime between 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday-Friday. Calling ahead to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office is highly recommended. 402-367-7400