A state trial court

Douglas County District Court

A general-jurisdiction trial court in Nebraska.

The Douglas County District Court is a general-jurisdiction trial court in Nebraska, where most civil and criminal cases are first heard. Its judges are chosen by gubernatorial appointment from a nominating commission, followed by retention elections, the method Nebraska uses for its judges. This page lists the court's sitting judges, from Nebraska's official judicial directory.

Judges in history

Currently serving

Merit selection

Selection

6-yr

Term

Current judges

Judge	Since
Tressa M. Alioth	–
Peter C. Bataillon	–
Katie L. Benson	–
J Russell Derr	–
Duane C. Dougherty	–
Todd O. Engleman	–
Michael W. Jensen	–
Molly B. Keane	–
Ryan M. Lindberg	–
Jeffrey J. Lux	–
James M. Masteller	–
Richard P. McGowan	–
Kimberly Miller Pankonin	–
Marlon A. Polk	–
LeAnne M. Srb	–
Shelly R. Stratman	–
Horacio J. Wheelock	–

Former judges

No former judges on record.

How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Douglas County District Court are appointed by the governor to 6-year terms and then face yes-or-no retention elections. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any judge to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.

Source: Nebraska Judicial Branch, District Court Judges; selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-07-02. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).