Statute of Limitations for False Arrest / False Imprisonment in Nebraska

Overview

In Nebraska, claims described as false arrest or false imprisonment are governed by a short statute of limitations under the state’s general limitations statute for certain actions. Nebraska generally uses a default (non-specialized) limitations rule when a claim does not fall into a more specific category with its own SOL period.

Per the jurisdiction data for US-NE, the general SOL period is 0.5 years, and the controlling statute is:

• Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-919

No claim-type-specific sub-rule (for example, a separate SOL rule specifically labeled “false arrest”) was identified in the jurisdiction data. That means the limitations period below should be treated as the general/default period applicable to the false arrest / false imprisonment framing used for this topic.

Limitation period

Default Nebraska SOL for these claims (0.5 years)

Nebraska provides a six-month limitations period (shown here as 0.5 years) for actions covered by Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-919. In practice, six months can pass quickly—especially if you wait for evidence to be collected or for an agency to respond to a complaint.

What you’re trying to calculate: the deadline to file suit in court, measured from the legally relevant start date.

How the “start date” affects the deadline

Statute of limitations calculations usually turn on when the clock begins. For many tort-style claims, the clock commonly ties to when the wrongful act occurred and/or when the injury is considered to have “accrued.” Nebraska’s specific rule for accrual can depend on the statute and the claim’s nature, so you should treat “date of arrest/detention” versus “date you learned of the facts” as a potential difference-maker.

Because you’re working with a short SOL, you should track dates tightly. A practical approach is to record:

• Arrest/detention date
• Release date (if different)
• Any date paperwork was served (if relevant to your timeline)
• Date you intend to file (to work backward)

DocketMath tip: model two timelines

Since false arrest/false imprisonment facts can vary, consider running DocketMath with alternative start dates (for example, the arrest date vs. the end of detention), then compare results. You’ll see how sensitive the six-month deadline is to the chosen start date.

Key exceptions

Nebraska’s short SOL under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-919 is not automatically extended just because it feels unfair or because an investigation is ongoing. That said, limitations problems can sometimes be addressed through recognized legal doctrines such as tolling or statutory-specific triggers.

Below are the kinds of exceptions that typically matter in short-SOL settings—without assuming they apply in your case:

1) Tolling (pause of the clock)

Tolling can occur when the law stops the limitations clock under specific circumstances (for example, certain disabilities or recognized procedural events). Because the statute you’re using is Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-919, any tolling analysis should be tied to Nebraska’s limitations framework and the facts of your situation.

2) Accrual disputes

When parties disagree about when the SOL started, the deadline can change. Even with a fixed six-month period, the calculation hinges on the accrual/start date.

3) Notice-related timing in particular procedural contexts

Some claims intersect with special procedural regimes (for example, governmental entities). Where procedural prerequisites exist, timing requirements may effectively affect when a claim can be filed. This can be a separate issue from the six-month “paper” SOL, but the net effect is the same: the filing must happen on time under the applicable scheme.

4) Claim characterization

Even though the jurisdiction data indicates no claim-type-specific sub-rule was found, how a court characterizes the cause of action can matter. If facts are pled differently, a different statute could be argued. This is another reason to use DocketMath with a conservative filing target (earlier rather than later).

Statute citation

The general Nebraska statute of limitations referenced for this topic is:

• Neb. Rev. Stat. § 13-919 (general/default SOL period: 0.5 years / six months)
  Source: https://law.justia.com/codes/nebraska/chapter-13/statute-13-919/

Because the jurisdiction data did not identify a separate false arrest/false imprisonment sub-rule, you should treat § 13-919 as the default period for the scenario described here.

Use the calculator

To generate a deadline using DocketMath (statute-of-limitations calculator), start from your best estimate of the SOL start date and then let the calculator apply the 0.5-year (six-month) limitations period under Nebraska’s general rule.

Use this tool link here: /tools/statute-of-limitations.

Suggested inputs (practical checklist)

How the output changes when inputs change

DocketMath’s output typically shifts based on just one thing in a short-SOL jurisdiction: the start date.

• If you move the start date forward by 30 days, your computed filing deadline also moves forward by roughly 30 days (because the limitations window remains six months).
• If you move the start date backward by 30 days, your deadline becomes about 30 days earlier, increasing the risk of being time-barred.

Actionable workflow (fast and conservative)

1. Run DocketMath with your most likely start date.
2. Run it again with an alternate start date (e.g., release date instead of arrest date).
3. Pick the earliest deadline from your runs as your “safe” filing target.
4. Use that date to drive your evidence-gathering and documentation plan.

Related reading

• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Vermont — Tool comparison
• Statute of limitations in Singapore: how to estimate the deadline — How-to guide
• Choosing the right statute of limitations tool for Connecticut — Tool comparison