Julie Fowler

Nominated one of "10 Best" Attorneys for Nebraska by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys in 2015. Winner of Michael W. Amdor Memorial Excellence in Legal Research Award.

Nebraska

Since 2007

Attorney

Law Office of Julie Fowler, PC, LLO

Current

Creighton University School of Law

J.D.

Michael W. Amdor Memorial Excellence in Legal Research Award

Fourth Judicial District, Douglas County, Nebraska

2009

Nebraska Bar Association  # 23649

Attorney

2007 - Current

Q. Is it legal to operate a claw machine inside a dispensary with store items as prizes?

August 18, 2025

A: You generally need a license to operate this type of game in your business. Further, if you are planning to include items other than stuffed animals and other toys, you are likely going to be subject to additional rules and regulations, especially if the items that you include are otherwise regulated. You may also have issues if the items are for use by adults and you are putting these items into a machine that is typically marketed towards use by children. Even if you follow the rules so that the machine is not illegal, you may be opening yourself up to potential liability. You would want to discuss in detail with an attorney as to what you want to do and how the potential rules and potential liability apply to decide if this is a smart business decision to pursue or not. Your accountant might also have some advice as to what the potential tax implications may be. ... Read More

Q. Can NDCS extend a sentence beyond agreed terms?

August 18, 2025

A: If you haven't already, you would need to check your court order to see what you were specifically sentenced to. The judge doesn't have to accept the plea deal or the recommended sentence agreed to by the prosecutor and defendant. Once you have reviewed the court order, you can then calculate your expected time to serve. It is possible for their to be a miscalculation and correction. Mistakes happen.

If you have checked the math and you believe the projected date of release is not accurate, you can ask the Court to find that their is a miscalculation. In the case of Mullins v. Box Butte County, 317 Neb. 937 (2024), the inmate file a declaratory judgment action and requested the Court issue a writ of mandamus to compel the jail to recalculate the expected period of incarceration, including good time. The case went to trial over how to calculate the good time in the case. You may be able to use a similar method if you believe there is a miscalculation and the correctional facility disagrees. ... Read More

Q. How can a 17-year-old from Nebraska start the emancipation process due to family struggles?

August 18, 2025

A: The Nebraska Supreme Court has put together a lot of information regarding Emancipation in Nebraska.

https://nebraskajudicial.gov/self-help/families-children/emancipation

The teen has to be financially independent from the parents and living separate and apart from the parents in order for the court to grant the emancipation. If the child is residing at home and/or financially dependent of the parents, then emancipation may not be the solution. It may be time to pursue family counseling to try to improve the situation. The teen can speak with their parents, the school counselor, or another trust adult for further guidance on ways to start family counseling or otherwise improve the situation at home. ... Read More