Democrat Kristi Egger of Lincoln, a longtime attorney in the public defender's office, defeated her former boss, incumbent Joe Nigro in the primary. She faces Republican Trevin Preble of Lincoln.
Lancaster County Public Defender
Lancaster County has had a public defender's office to represent those accused of criminal cases who can't afford a private attorney where the state is seeking a jail sentence since 1979.
In addition to the public defender, the office employs 23 attorneys, a social worker, six paralegals, two investigators and a handful of support staff.Ìý
On average in a normal year, the office handles 6,500 to 6,600 cases.
The term is for four years and the public defender will be paid $179,689 next year.
Democrat Kristi Egger of Lincoln, a longtime attorney in the public defender's office, defeated her former boss, incumbent Joe Nigro, in the primary. She faces Republican Trevin Preble of Lincoln.
Trevin Preble
Age: 44
Address: 7300 Forbes Drive, Lincoln
Occupation: Attorney
Political party:ÌýRepublican
Website:
What experiences qualify you for this office?
I have actual, real-world, leadership and management experience. In the corporate world I managed teams of more than 20 people. I have successfully started and grown a thriving law practice. My practice centers around criminal law, family law, juvenile law and general civil litigation. Our local judges have appointed me to represent indigent individuals on cases up to and including murder. I will bring this experience to bear as the next public defender.
What changes do you anticipate making if you’re elected?
The culture of the public defender’s office is in serious need of reform. Possession and use of alcohol at the office, against county policy, is just one example of the culture that needs to change. I will be a proactive leader and help assess which cases the office keeps, saving taxpayer dollars. A new culture of professionalism and fiscal responsibility needs to take over. I will run the office like you would expect at any workplace. The people deserve better.
If elected, what will be your top priorities and why?
First and foremost, to provide the best legal representation to those individuals my office is appointed to serve. Specifically, I will work with the county attorney and community stakeholders to address those individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues who do not fit into any of our current problem-solving courts or diversion programs. Helping individuals live their best life and stop the cycle of incarceration for minor offenses will increase resources to focus on crime prevention.
How has the work you’ve done up to now prepared you to make decisions about the various work done by the office, whether representing people on criminal charges, minors in juvenile court or mentally ill people facing civil commitments?
I have practiced extensively in the areas of criminal and juvenile law. I have represented people of all ages and backgrounds for crimes ranging from traffic violations to murder. Being a small business owner has given me the experience to manage people and budgets. My leadership experience in the corporate world includes supervising and mentoring individuals and leading successful teams. This experience has given me the abilities necessary to guide and manage the Lancaster County Public Defender’s office.
How important is it that the Lancaster County Public Defender handle cases personally? Why?
It is vitally important for the public defender to carry a current caseload. In other jurisdictions, the public defender carries a significant caseload. The public defender, on a daily basis, should be observing, leading and mentoring not only their employees, but also young attorneys that are accepting criminal court appointments. This can only be done effectively if you are practicing in the courtroom, working alongside those you lead, and maintaining a constant presence within the courthouse.
What are the most important issues for your office in the coming years?
Dealing with limited judicial resources and tight budgets is an important issue. Housing individuals in jail for more than $100 a day is not sustainable. We must come up with new and creative solutions to help individuals struggling with mental health and addictions. We cannot rely on state and federal officials to solve these problems for us. I will work with community stakeholders to tackle these issues in a way that respects individuals who struggle while providing a safer community.
What can the public defender do to help find alternatives to incarceration for people suffering from substance abuse or mental illness?
A small percentage of people with substance abuse and mental health issues use an extraordinary amount of resources. Housing these individuals in the county jail for minor offenses costs tens of thousands of dollars per year. We need to engage stakeholders in the community to help solve this issue. Nonprofit organizations and churches can help support these individuals. There are better, less expensive options that can provide real help and keep these individuals out of the judicial system long term.
Kristi Egger
Age: 60
Address: 3245 S. 28th St., Lincoln
Occupation: Criminal defense attorney
Political party: Democrat
Website:Ìý
What experiences qualify you for this office?
For 32 years, I served Lancaster County as a deputy public defender, representing clients in over 10,000 cases. I have real-world experience in every type of case the office handles, including juvenile, felony, misdemeanor, appeals and mental health cases. For over three decades I’ve worked with courts, prosecutors, probation and treatment providers to serve our clients and our community. This is a complex job. I have the proven dedication and experience necessary to lead the office competently and effectively.
What changes do you anticipate making if you’re elected?
I will review caseload standards. The Public Defender Office handles thousands of cases annually, which is far more cost-effective than assigning private counsel. Hiring additional deputies may help us more effectively represent clients and save taxpayer money.
We will be more supportive in mentoring new attorneys and law clerks. Training will be more effective, thorough and structured.
We will increase collaboration and cooperation, both within the office and with outside agencies to best serve our clients and Lancaster County.
If elected, what will be your top priorities and why?
The focus of everyone in the office must be to zealously advocate for our clients. We will assist clients with mental health and substance issues to enter into Diversion, problem-solving courts and treatment programs, which decrease recidivism.
We will work to decrease overincarceration, advocate to establish a Mental Health Court, and assist the legislative process in those endeavors as needed.
I will work full-time at the office, supporting attorneys and staff through mentoring, working side-by-side and leading by example.
How has the work you’ve done up to now prepared you to make decisions about the various work done by the office, whether representing people on criminal charges, minors in juvenile court or mentally ill people facing civil commitments?
I’ve been a deputy public defender over 30 years, acting as lead counsel in thousands of cases, training and supervising law clerks and mentoring young attorneys. Very few attorneys have the experience I possess handling juvenile, felony, misdemeanor, appeals and mental health cases. With extensive work with our case management system, I am well-prepared to administer case assignments and caseloads. My years of hands-on work in Nebraska’s justice system have given me the tools necessary to effectively lead the office.
How important is it that the Lancaster County Public Defender handle cases personally? Why?
Managing a caseload is only part of the of the work, though a crucial one. All the attorneys there work hard at a tough job. If the public defender is never in court, they cannot observe how judges and prosecutors manage their dockets and treat attorneys and clients. They cannot mentor attorneys dealing with clients, judges and opposing counsel. I’m the only candidate with real-world experience as a public defender in every type of case the office handles.
What are the most important issues for your office in the coming years?
Reform the cash bond system. It unjustly penalizes the poor and leads to excessive incarceration, at great cost to taxpayers. I will work with criminal justice reform advocates and legislators to aid in fixing this broken system.
I will work with the county attorney to get more people into Diversion and other problem-solving courts, which again, will help clients and their families, and save taxpayer money.
We must keep fighting to end racism and discrimination in Nebraska’s criminal justice system.
What can the public defender do to help find alternatives to incarceration for people suffering from substance abuse or mental illness?
Warehousing people in jail has never worked. The majority of our clients have substance use and/or mental health issues. Diversion, Drug Court, Mental Health Court/Diversion, and Veterans Court are all effective and humane ways to help clients without simply throwing them in jail. The focus should be on getting people the treatment they need.
Sarpy County launched the first Mental Health Court pilot program in Nebraska. I would work to help establish a Mental Health Court in Lancaster County.