NEBRASKA CITY - Seth Hawkins was sworn in Monday as a new deputy Otoe County attorney.

Hawkins, a Bellevue native who graduated in May from the University of Nebraska College of Law, has clinical prosecution work in Lancaster County and passed the state bar exam in September.

He said successful prosecution is important in rural Nebraska.

Hawkins: “We want to maintain the character of these communities and I think this community has a really great character -- Nebraska City and all the surrounding communities in Otoe County. If we are able to maintain the character of the community by enforcing our laws and keeping order, I think that’s something we should really strive for.”

He will join County Attorney Jennifer Panko-Rahe and Deputy Sarah Wiltse with a focus on juvenile law and mental health cases.

Hawkins: “My main focus is going to be on ensuring that the juvenile cases that come through our office are handled fairly, according to the law, and also our mental health cases are handled fairly and for the best interest of everyone involved.”

Otoe County Judge David Partsch, a former Otoe County prosecutor, administered the oath of office.

Otoe County had over 1,000 criminal cases and 131 juvenile cases filed in 2020,

In 2015, there were 646 criminal cases and 198 juvenile cases.