Sipple Law is an Omaha trial firm that represents clients in criminal and civil jury trials in Nebraska state and federal court. Attorney Adam J. Sipple has tried cases since 1993, winning Not Guilty verdicts and ten reversals of criminal judgments on appeal — including four in the Nebraska Supreme Court and two in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. The firm handles criminal defense, personal injury, wrongful death, civil rights (42 U.S.C. § 1983), and business litigation, plus criminal and civil appeals. Call 402-778-5055 to speak directly with Adam about your case.
Written and legally reviewed by Adam J. Sipple, Nebraska trial attorney (licensed 1994)
Facing criminal allegations is difficult. It threatens your freedom and your reputation. Because those stakes are so high, the law requires the government to prove each and every element of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt. An experienced trial lawyer — one who will unapologetically exercise your rights — can achieve a just result, whether by trying your case to a jury or negotiating from a position of strength.
Over more than three decades in practice, Adam Sipple has built a reputation as an aggressive, knowledgeable, and creative trial lawyer. He has won Not Guilty verdicts through grueling cross-examination and by advancing defenses based on false confessions, improper hypnosis of witnesses, and other theories most lawyers never find. Those defenses surface only when a lawyer spends time with, and listens to, the person he has promised to defend. Adam will listen to you.
Trial readiness also changes negotiations. Prosecutors and insurance companies track which lawyers actually try cases and which ones always settle. When the other side knows your attorney has won jury verdicts in the Douglas County District Court and in the federal courthouse down the street, plea offers and settlement numbers reflect it. Sipple Law prepares every case as if it will be decided by twelve jurors.
As an Omaha criminal trial attorney, Adam defends clients at trial against the full range of state and federal charges — including murder, sexual assault, drug and firearm charges, fraud, and federal conspiracy cases. He is not a former prosecutor and was not a police officer. He depends on strength in the courtroom, not friendly relationships with his adversary, for results.
A Nebraska criminal trial moves through jury selection (voir dire), opening statements, the State’s evidence and witness testimony, cross-examination, the defense case, closing arguments, jury instructions, deliberation, and the verdict. Felony trials are heard in district court before a jury of twelve, and the verdict must be unanimous. Misdemeanor cases are tried in county court.
The burden never shifts. The prosecution must prove every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt — the highest standard in American law. The defense is not required to prove innocence, call witnesses, or put the accused on the stand.
Nebraska’s speedy trial statute, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 29-1207, generally requires the State to bring a defendant to trial within six months of filing the information or indictment, subject to excludable periods. Deadlines like this one are leverage, and a trial lawyer who knows how to use them can force the State to commit to its evidence early.
State felony and civil jury trials in Omaha are heard by the Douglas County District Court (Fourth Judicial District) at the Hall of Justice, 1701 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68183 — the busiest judicial district in Nebraska. Misdemeanor and preliminary matters are handled by the Douglas County Court in the same building.
Federal criminal and civil trials are heard by the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska at the Roman L. Hruska Federal Courthouse, 111 South 18th Plaza, Omaha, NE 68102. Adam has been admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska since 1998 and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit since 1994 — so the same lawyer who tries your case can protect the record for appeal, and argue it.
Sipple Law also takes civil cases to verdict. As an Omaha civil trial attorney, Adam represents plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death cases, victims of police misconduct and other civil rights violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and individuals and businesses in commercial litigation.
Several Nebraska rules shape every civil trial decision. Most personal injury claims must be filed within four years under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207, but the deadline is not the same for every claim. Wrongful death actions must be filed within two years under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 30-810, libel and slander claims within one year under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-208, and claims against a city, county, or the State require an earlier written claim under the Political Subdivisions Tort Claims Act (or the State Tort Claims Act) before suit. Missing the applicable deadline almost always ends a case permanently, so the safest step is to have a trial attorney calculate it as soon as possible after the injury
Nebraska’s comparative negligence statute, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-21,185.09, bars recovery entirely if the plaintiff’s negligence is equal to or greater than the total negligence of everyone from whom recovery is sought. Defense lawyers and insurers build their entire strategy around pushing blame past that 50-percent line, which is why who tries your case can matter as much as the facts.
A case should go to trial when the other side refuses fair compensation, when liability is disputed and the evidence favors you, or when the stakes are too high to accept a discounted settlement. Adam will tell you honestly which category your case is in.
Adam has won acquittals in numerous criminal jury trials and has prevailed in more than half of the cases he has tried. Jurors have thanked him from the jury box before returning Not Guilty verdicts, and his cross-examination has led alleged victims and witnesses to recant their allegations during trial.
When a trial goes wrong, Adam fixes it on appeal. Beginning with the reversal of a first-degree murder conviction in 1997, he has won ten reversals of criminal judgments in the appellate courts, including four in the Nebraska Supreme Court and two in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. In one case, the Eighth Circuit ordered the release of his client before issuing its decision — a result rarely accomplished.
A case should go to trial when the opposing side refuses to offer fair compensation, when liability is disputed and the facts favor you, or when the stakes are too high to accept a low settlement. Sipple Law prepares every case as if it will go to trial.
The trial process includes jury selection, opening statements, presentation of evidence and witness testimony, cross-examination, closing arguments, jury instructions, deliberation, and the verdict. Sipple Law guides clients through each step.
Yes. Attorney Adam Sipple has extensive courtroom experience in both criminal defense trials and civil litigation including personal injury, civil rights, and federal cases.
Trial duration varies based on complexity. Simple cases may take one to three days, while complex criminal or civil cases can last one to three weeks or longer. Sipple Law provides realistic timelines based on the specifics of your case.
