On Friday, March 27, 2026, the Judicial Qualifications Commission of Nebraska publicly reprimanded Douglas County Juvenile Court Judge Candice Novak for violating multiple provisions of the state’s judicial code of conduct, citing inappropriate courtroom behavior and the use of derogatory language toward colleagues and court personnel.
In a five-page ruling, the commission detailed a 2022 incident in which Novak reacted angrily upon learning that a juvenile would not attend a scheduled hearing. According to the findings, the judge slammed a file on her desk and instructed attorneys present to “figure it out.” She later directed her bailiff to delay proceedings, stating that the attorneys were wasting her time. The delay lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Novak told investigators that she used the delay to consult with another judge about whether to proceed in the juvenile’s absence. However, the commission reported that the other judge denied that any such consultation took place.
The reprimand also highlighted a series of text messages Novak sent to court staff that contained what the commission described as “disrespectful or vulgar comments, jokes, and insults” about individuals within the judicial system. Among the examples cited were remarks referring to fellow juvenile court judges using derogatory terms, as well as disparaging comments about a county court administrator and a former chief justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court.
The commission concluded that Novak’s actions constituted willful misconduct in office and brought disrepute to the judiciary. It emphasized that such behavior undermines public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the court.
Novak, who was appointed to the bench in 2020 and had no prior disciplinary history, agreed to accept the public reprimand. As part of the resolution, she was also ordered to pay the costs associated with the commission’s investigation.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
