For purposes of the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) Abuse means the occurrence of one or more of the following acts between family or household members:
(a) Attempting to cause or intentionally and knowingly causing bodily injury with or without a dangerous instrument;
(b) Placing, by means of credible threat, another person in fear of bodily injury. For purposes of this subdivision, credible threat means a verbal or written threat, including a threat performed through the use of an electronic communication device, or a threat implied by a pattern of conduct or a combination of verbal, written, or electronically communicated statements and conduct that is made by a person with the apparent ability to carry out the threat so as to cause the person who is the target of the threat to reasonably fear for his or her safety or the safety of his or her family. It is not necessary to prove that the person making the threat had the intent to actually carry out the threat. The present incarceration of the person making the threat shall not prevent the threat from being deemed a credible threat under this section; or
(c) Engaging in sexual contact or sexual penetration without consent as defined in section 28-318;
(3) Family or household members includes spouses or former spouses, children, persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past, persons who have a child in common whether or not they have been married or have lived together at any time, other persons related by consanguinity or affinity, and persons who are presently involved in a dating relationship with each other or who have been involved in a dating relationship with each other. For purposes of this subdivision, dating relationship means frequent, intimate associations primarily characterized by the expectation of affectional or sexual involvement, but does not include a casual relationship or an ordinary association between persons in a business or social context; and
(4) Law enforcement agency means the police department or town marshal in incorporated municipalities, the office of the sheriff in unincorporated areas, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in
88
cases (
51 in the last 5 years), 1996–2026 · leading case:
Blank v. Blank, 930 N.W.2d 523 (Neb. 2019).
Blank v. Blank, 930 N.W.2d 523 (Neb. 2019).
· cites it 25× “BLANK threats of such acts, cruel mistreatment or cruel neglect of an animal as defined in section 28-1008, or threats of such acts, and other acts of abuse, assault, or harassment, or threats of such acts against other family or household members.”
Maria A. v. Oscar G., 919 N.W.2d 841 (Neb. 2018).
· cites it 17× “On the same day that Maria filed her petition and affidavit, the district court found that Maria had stated facts showing that Oscar had committed abuse as defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Reissue 2016) and that there was immediate danger of abuse before the matter could be…”
Robert M. v. Danielle O., 928 N.W.2d 407 (Neb. 2019).
· cites it 19× “The trial court determined Danielle's conduct put Bella in fear of bodily injury by means of a credible threat and thus constituted domestic abuse as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (1)(b) (Cum. Supp.”
Linda N. v. William N., 856 N.W.2d 436 (Neb. 2014).
· cites it 20× “607 conduct “abuse” under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Cum. Supp. 2014).”
Mann v. Mann, 7 N.W.3d 845 (Neb. 2024).
· cites it 11× “19 Id. See § 43-2922(8). - 923 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 316 Nebraska Reports MANN V.”
Aguilar v. Valdez-Mendoza, 16 N.W.3d 130 (Neb. 2025).
· cites it 32× “We conclude that the district court erred in concluding that the parties were related by “affinity.”
Garrison v. Otto, 970 N.W.2d 495 (Neb. 2022).
· cites it 10× “Absent abuse as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Cum. Supp. 2020), a protection order may not remain in effect.”
Fales v. Fales, 914 N.W.2d 478 (Neb. Ct. App. 2018).
· cites it 6× “" See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (1)(a) and (b) (Reissue 2016).”
Torres v. Morales, 843 N.W.2d 805 (Neb. 2014).
· cites it 3× “Furthermore, the questions suggested in Torres’ brief—whether Torres was injured or placed in fear of injury—would not have been sufficient to warrant a protection order under § 42-903, because that section requires intentional injury or credible threats.”
William P. v. Jamie P., 984 N.W.2d 285 (Neb. 2023).
· cites it 2× “Echoing the elements of domestic abuse, as “abuse” is defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (1) (Cum.”
Yerania O. v. Juan P., 969 N.W.2d 121 (Neb. 2022).
· cites it 3× “An ex parte domestic abuse protection order was issued by the district court, and William requested a show cause hearing on the ex parte order, which was upheld by the district court after the show cause hearing.”
Kenneth C. v. Lacie H., 839 N.W.2d 305 (Neb. 2013).
· cites it 2× “See, also, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Cum. Supp. 2012) (incorporated by reference in §§ 43-2922(8) and 43-2923(6)(d)).”
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903(1): 39 cases
Linda N. v. William N., 856 N.W.2d 436 (Neb. 2014).
“607 conduct “abuse” under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Cum. Supp. 2014).”
Maria A. v. Oscar G., 919 N.W.2d 841 (Neb. 2018).
“On the same day that Maria filed her petition and affidavit, the district court found that Maria had stated facts showing that Oscar had committed abuse as defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Reissue 2016) and that there was immediate danger of abuse before the matter could be…”
Robert M. v. Danielle O., 928 N.W.2d 407 (Neb. 2019).
“The trial court determined Danielle's conduct put Bella in fear of bodily injury by means of a credible threat and thus constituted domestic abuse as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (1)(b) (Cum. Supp.”
Torres v. Morales, 843 N.W.2d 805 (Neb. 2014).
“Furthermore, the questions suggested in Torres’ brief—whether Torres was injured or placed in fear of injury—would not have been sufficient to warrant a protection order under § 42-903, because that section requires intentional injury or credible threats.”
Aguilar v. Valdez-Mendoza, 16 N.W.3d 130 (Neb. 2025).
“We conclude that the district court erred in concluding that the parties were related by “affinity.”
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903(1)(a): 19 cases
Blank v. Blank, 930 N.W.2d 523 (Neb. 2019).
“BLANK threats of such acts, cruel mistreatment or cruel neglect of an animal as defined in section 28-1008, or threats of such acts, and other acts of abuse, assault, or harassment, or threats of such acts against other family or household members.”
Maria A. v. Oscar G., 919 N.W.2d 841 (Neb. 2018).
“On the same day that Maria filed her petition and affidavit, the district court found that Maria had stated facts showing that Oscar had committed abuse as defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Reissue 2016) and that there was immediate danger of abuse before the matter could be…”
Garrison v. Otto, 970 N.W.2d 495 (Neb. 2022).
“Absent abuse as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Cum. Supp. 2020), a protection order may not remain in effect.”
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903(1)(b): 25 cases
Robert M. v. Danielle O., 928 N.W.2d 407 (Neb. 2019).
“The trial court determined Danielle's conduct put Bella in fear of bodily injury by means of a credible threat and thus constituted domestic abuse as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (1)(b) (Cum. Supp.”
Linda N. v. William N., 856 N.W.2d 436 (Neb. 2014).
“607 conduct “abuse” under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Cum. Supp. 2014).”
Maria A. v. Oscar G., 919 N.W.2d 841 (Neb. 2018).
“On the same day that Maria filed her petition and affidavit, the district court found that Maria had stated facts showing that Oscar had committed abuse as defined in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Reissue 2016) and that there was immediate danger of abuse before the matter could be…”
Garrison v. Otto, 970 N.W.2d 495 (Neb. 2022).
“Absent abuse as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Cum. Supp. 2020), a protection order may not remain in effect.”
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903(1)(c): 7 cases
Garrison v. Otto, 970 N.W.2d 495 (Neb. 2022).
“Absent abuse as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (Cum. Supp. 2020), a protection order may not remain in effect.”
Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903(3): 34 cases
Aguilar v. Valdez-Mendoza, 16 N.W.3d 130 (Neb. 2025).
“We conclude that the district court erred in concluding that the parties were related by “affinity.”
Blank v. Blank, 930 N.W.2d 523 (Neb. 2019).
“BLANK threats of such acts, cruel mistreatment or cruel neglect of an animal as defined in section 28-1008, or threats of such acts, and other acts of abuse, assault, or harassment, or threats of such acts against other family or household members.”
Robert M. v. Danielle O., 928 N.W.2d 407 (Neb. 2019).
“The trial court determined Danielle's conduct put Bella in fear of bodily injury by means of a credible threat and thus constituted domestic abuse as defined by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (1)(b) (Cum. Supp.”
Fales v. Fales, 914 N.W.2d 478 (Neb. Ct. App. 2018).
“" See Neb. Rev. Stat. § 42-903 (1)(a) and (b) (Reissue 2016).”
Mann v. Mann, 7 N.W.3d 845 (Neb. 2024).
“19 Id. See § 43-2922(8). - 923 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 316 Nebraska Reports MANN V.”
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