Platte County Attorney:

Carl K. Hart Jr.
2610 14th Street
Columbus, NE 68601
Phone: 402-563-4903
Fax: 402-564-1914
e-mail: pca1@megavision.com

The Platte County Attorney's Office is located on the third floor of the Courthouse. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Platte County Attorney is an elected partisan position with a four year term of office. The County Attorney is considered the top law enforcement official in Platte County. The County Attorney is responsible for the criminal prosecution of all felony, misdemeanor and infraction crimes that occur within the jurisdiction of the City of Columbus and within Platte County. The office also performs a number of other duties as defined by Nebraska State Statutes. 

Functions of the County Attorney's Office: Elected to a four-year term, the County Attorney serves as legal counsel to Platte County and its elected officials. The office verifies and files charges against persons accused of felonies or misdemeanors. The office also prosecutes these violations. The County Attorney is the coroner and investigates cases where individuals die without the presence of a physician or where death appears to result from violence. The office assists in collection of child support, insufficient fund checks, inheritance and other taxes. Other duties include filing petitions with Juvenile Court and disposing of cases concerning children who are delinquent, neglected, dependent or in need of special supervision and tax foreclosures.

At the present time, the County Attorney's Office staff is:

• County Attorney: Carl K. Hart Jr
• Chief Deputy County Attorney: Demetria Herman
• Deputy County Attorney: Morgan Smith
• Deputy County Attorney: Tonia Novak
• Office Managers: Jill Paprocki & Virginia Wennekamp
• Child Support Enforcement: Linda Brandenburgh & Diane Thress
• Bad Check Collection: Lorraine Parker
• Office Clerk: Sharon Leif
• Victim/Witness Coordinator: Traci Nelsen
• Juvenile Diversion Coordinator: Wilma Arp