27-615. Rule 615. Exclusion of witnesses; exceptions.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

At the request of a party the judge shall order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses, and he may make the order on his own motion. This rule does not authorize exclusion of

(1)a party who is a natural person, or

(2)an officer or employee of a party which is not a natural person designated as its representative by its attorney, or

(3)a person whose presence is shown by a party to be essential to the presentation of his cause.

It is permissible for a law enforcement officer, who will also be called to testify, to be present during a trial, even where a sequestration order has been entered. State v. Freeman, 267 Neb. 737, 677 N.W.2d 164 (2004).

In an attorney disciplinary proceeding, the attorney's client who was also the complaining witness in the proceeding was an essential witness under subsection

(3)of this section. State ex rel. NSBA v. Miller, 258 Neb. 181, 602 N.W.2d 486 (1999).

Sequestration order not violated by presence of State's psychiatrist who was not to be called as a witness at trial. State v. Ryan, 233 Neb. 74, 444 N.W.2d 610 (1989).

A psychiatrist or psychologist may be present in the courtroom in contravention of a sequestration order upon a showing that his or her presence is essential to the presentation of a party's case. State v. Jackson, 231 Neb. 207, 435 N.W.2d 893 (1989).

Defendant's request to sequester a witness who was the prosecutrix and victim, held properly denied under exception in subsection

(3)hereof. State v. Eynon, 197 Neb. 734, 250 N.W.2d 658 (1977).

This section does not require a party to present evidence in order to show that a witness is essential. In re Interest of Gabriel B., 31 Neb. App. 21, 976 N.W.2d 206 (2022).

This section does not require that the witness have no other way to obtain the information needed except to be present in the courtroom. In re Interest of Gabriel B., 31 Neb. App. 21, 976 N.W.2d 206 (2022).

The general rule is that witnesses shall be excluded from a proceeding at the request of a party; this rule has certain exceptions, including a person whose presence is shown by a party to be essential to the presentation of its cause. In re Interest of Dennis W., 14 Neb. App. 827, 717 N.W.2d 488 (2006).