OMAHA- On Tuesday, Gov. Jim Pillen announced that Derek Vaughn, who currently serves as a Douglas County Court Judge, will move to the County's District Court bench. Vaughn's appointment to the role comes just a short time after Judge Michael Coffey, who has held the position since his appointment in 1998, announced his retirement from the District Court.

Seven applicants applied for the role, and the Judicial Nominating Commission selected the top four candidates for Pillen to choose from.

Vaughn, before being appointed to the Douglas County Cout bench in 2013, graduated from the University College of Law. Prior to his judgeship, he served as a deputy county attorney in Douglas County for 14 years.

In County Court, where Vaughn served for the past ten years, judges have jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal and traffic infraction cases, as well as small claims, probate, adoption, and other civil matters. District Court judges are general jurisdiction trial courts that oversee proceedings in all felony cases and civil cases concerning more than $57,000.

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