Judge of the Platte County Court, Frank J. Skorupa, is retiring effective April 30, 2022. Skorupa served as County Court Judge for the 5th Judicial District in Columbus, Nebraska for 28 years.

In his announcement letter to the Governor, Skorupa noted, “Since my appointment to the bench by Governor Ben Nelson, it has been a privilege to have served the citizens of the great State of Nebraska for twenty-eight years, but the time has come to step aside.” He continued, “I am most thankful for my wonderful, hardworking court staff, present and past… I will miss them greatly.” Skorupa serves on the Nebraska County Judges Association Judicial Education and Legislation subcommittees. During his service on the Bench Book committee, he originated a step-by-step adoption procedure for his fellow county court judges.

After taking the bench in 1994, Skorupa has been regularly retained in his judicial position by area voters, most recently in 2016.

The first step in replacing Skorupa will be for the Judicial Resources Commission to call a meeting to determine whether or not, based on judicial workload statistics, his retirement creates a judicial vacancy on the county court for the 5th Judicial District.

Biography

Hon. Frank J. Skorupa

Judgeship:

1994 - present

Judge of the County Court, 5th Judicial District (Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, & York counties)

2005 - 2006, Presiding Judge of the 5th Judicial District, County Court

Experience: 1975 - 1994, Private practice of law

Education: Chicago-Kent

College of Law, 1975, Juris Doctorate

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1972, Bachelor of Science

Professional Affiliations: Nebraska State Bar Association,

Platte County Bar Association, Nebraska County Judges

Association, Jury Project Committee chairman,

Ad Hoc Committee on Court Costs chairman, Legislative Committee member, Judicial Education Committee memberCommunity Activities: Judge host of the Annual Law Day Job Shadow for 5th graders through the Nebraska State Bar Foundation

What Happens When He Leaves

When a Judge of the District, County or Separate Juvenile Court leaves office, the initial step is a public hearing with the Judicial Resources Commission.

The basic duty of the Commission is to hold public hearings throughout the year to determine whether or not a judicial vacancy exists when a judge leaves the bench. The Commission’s recommendations are to be based on: Analysis of judicial workload statistics, whether litigants have adequate access to the courts, population of the Judicial District, other judicial duties and travel time within district.

If a vacancy is determined (which it usually is) the second step is the Judicial Nominating Commission.

Nebraska’s Judicial Nominating Commission

In Nebraska, the merit selection system (originally adopted by a constitutional amendment in 1962) is used for all levels of judges. Merit selection uses nominating commissions to screen, interview, and solicit judicial applicants.

If/when a vacancy is determined; the Judicial Nominating Commission is responsible to put forth their best efforts in finding the most qualified individuals to accept nomination for judicial office.

For more information, visit https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov