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Nebraska Revised Statutes

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614 (2026)

Rule 614. Calling and interrogation of witnesses by judge; objections

✓ current as of July 2026
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(1) The judge may, on his own motion or at the suggestion of a party, call witnesses, and all parties are entitled to cross-examine witnesses thus called.

(2) The judge may interrogate witnesses, whether called by himself or by a party.

(3) Objections to the calling of witnesses by the judge or to interrogation by him may be made at the time or at the next available opportunity when the jury is not present.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 15 cases, 1978–2018 · leading case: State v. J.K. (In Re Interest of J.K.), 300 Neb. 510 (Neb. 2018).
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State v. J.K. (In Re Interest of J.K.), 300 Neb. 510 (Neb. 2018). · cites it 4× “Both Nebraska and federal law allow a trial court to call a witness on its own motion,1 the usual purpose of such interro- gation being “to develop the truth.”
Elstun v. Elstun, 600 N.W.2d 835 (Neb. 1999). · cites it 7× “The Court of Appeals seems to have overlooked Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614 (1) (Reissue 1995), which provides that “[t]he judge may, on his own motion or at the suggestion of a party, call witnesses, and all parties are entitled to cross-examine witnesses thus called.”
State v. Bjorklund, 604 N.W.2d 169 (Neb. 2000). · cites it 2× “614(2), Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614 (2) (Reissue 1995).”
State v. Fix, 365 N.W.2d 471 (Neb. 1985). · cites it 3× “Specifically, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614 (2) (Reissue 1979) provides in part: “The judge may interrogate witnesses, whether called by himself or by a party.”
Torres v. Morales, 287 Neb. 587 (Neb. 2014). · cites it 2× “In that case, we quoted Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614 (1) (Reissue 2008), which states that “[t]he judge may, on his own motion or at the suggestion of a party, call witnesses, and all parties are entitled to cross-examine witnesses thus called.”
State v. Brehmer, 317 N.W.2d 885 (Neb. 1982). · cites it 2× “Neb. Rev. Stat. §27-614 (2) (Reissue 1979).”
Elstun v. Elstun, 589 N.W.2d 334 (Neb. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 2× “See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614 (Reissue 1995). This discretionary power permits the trial court to bring out the true facts of the case, although the court must act impartially and not prejudice a party.”
In Re Interest of Blythman, 302 N.W.2d 666 (Neb. 1981). · cites it 2× “Section 27-614 authorizes a judge, on his own motion, to call witnesses, in which event all parties are entitled to cross-examine such witnesses.”
In re Interest of J.K., 300 Neb. 510 (Neb. 2018). · cites it 2× “Both Nebraska and federal law allow a trial court to call a witness on its own motion,1 the usual purpose of such interro- gation being “to develop the truth.”
Veik v. Tilden Bank, 265 N.W.2d 214 (Neb. 1978). · cites it 2× “With respect to the court’s questioning of the witness, such power is given the trial judge under section 27-614 (2), R. R. S. 1943, of the Nebraska Evidence Rules, and the party’s right to object thereto is preserved in subsection (3) of the same section.”
Gernstein v. Allen, 630 N.W.2d 672 (Neb. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 2× “Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614 (1) (Reissue 1995) gives judges the right to call witnesses, but it also gives parties the right to cross-examine such witnesses.”
Baltes v. Hodges, 301 N.W.2d 92 (Neb. 1981). · cites it 2× “Plaintiffs also assign as error that the trial judge failed to allow them to cross-examine a witness following an interrogation by the judge, all being contrary to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614 (Reissue 1979). The record shows that at the conclusion of all the evidence the trial…”
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— Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614(1) — 1 case
Elstun v. Elstun, 600 N.W.2d 835 (Neb. 1999). “The Court of Appeals seems to have overlooked Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-614 (1) (Reissue 1995), which provides that “[t]he judge may, on his own motion or at the suggestion of a party, call witnesses, and all parties are entitled to cross-examine witnesses thus called.”
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