Sarah Newell, Criminal Defense Attorney
Bar Admissions: Nebraska (2005), Nebraska Federal (2005), U.S. Supreme Court (2020)
Practice Areas
Complex Litigation
Appeals
Post-conviction
Homicide
Assaults
Traffic Violations
DUIs
Drug possession
Appeals
Post-conviction
Homicide
Assaults
Traffic Violations
DUIs
Drug possession
Drug distribution
Child abuse/neglect
Sexual assault
Weapons offenses
White collar crimes
Domestic disputes
Federal charges
Child abuse/neglect
Sexual assault
Weapons offenses
White collar crimes
Domestic disputes
Federal charges
Selected Cases with Outcomes
(Garden County) • Manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide resolved as serious bodily injury driving under the influence and aggravated DUI with intensive supervision probation.
(Lancaster County) • Acquittal of first degree sexual assault alleging a gang rape.
• Pretrial litigation included a motion to force the State to give immunity to codefendant whose DNA was excluded and whose testimony corroborated.
• Pretrial litigation included a motion to force the State to give immunity to codefendant whose DNA was excluded and whose testimony corroborated.
(Lancaster County) • Two Counts of first degree sexual assault resolved as time-served, non-registerable misdemeanors after successfully litigating a motion to sever and motions in limine under 414 for four additional accusers.
(Hamilton County) • Acquittal of first degree sexual assault with multiple 414 witnesses excluded.
(Lancaster County) • Acquittal of first degree sexual assault involving statuatory rape on issue of ??
(County) • Dismissal of 1st-degree sex assault and strangulation after deposition of material witness and investigation.
(Platte County) • Intentional child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury resolved with three class 1 misdemeanors.
(Kimball County) • Intentional child abuse resulting in death resolved as negligent child abuse resulting in death and attempted intentional child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury after a hung jury. • Handled depositions and witness examinations for all five experts who testified at trial (child abuse pediatrician, pathologist, pediatric ophthalmologist, biomechanical engineer, and emergency/trauma physician).
(Sarpy County) • Intentional child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury pending plea in abatement on the issue of serious bodily injury Resolved to a misdemeanor.
(Merrick County) • Direct appeal as new counsel of first degree sexual assault on a child. Issues presented involve failure to investigate and present victim's motive to fabricate and failure to acknowledge competency issue relating to client's need for hearing aids.
(Lancaster County) • Direct appeal of DUI and trespassing. Issues included affirmative defense on consent to trespassing of actual physical camera in driveway. Conviction reversed on Cezal grounds, suppressing evidence and clarifying evidentiary ruling.
Professional Honors
Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (2023-Present)
ACTL Membership Committee Chair
Warren K. Urbom Mentor Award Recipient 2021
Order of the Coif
Theodore Sorensen Fellow for Nebraskans Committed to Public Service
Nebraska Law Review
George L. DeLacy Memorial Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law
Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
Nebraska State Bar Association
Leadership Academy 2008-09
House of Delegates, District 3 Rep.
Legislation Committee 2015-Present
Annual Meeting Committee Chair 2012-22
Lincoln Bar Association
Member 2006-Present
Judicial Nominating Commission
Nebraska Judicial Dist. 1 Committee on Inquiry
Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
Member 2006-Present
President 2019-20
Robert Van Pelt American Inns of Court
Member 2011-Present
President 2020-21
Lancaster County Indigent Defense Advisory Committee
ACTL Membership Committee Chair
Warren K. Urbom Mentor Award Recipient 2021
Order of the Coif
Theodore Sorensen Fellow for Nebraskans Committed to Public Service
Nebraska Law Review
George L. DeLacy Memorial Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law
Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
Nebraska State Bar Association
Leadership Academy 2008-09
House of Delegates, District 3 Rep.
Legislation Committee 2015-Present
Annual Meeting Committee Chair 2012-22
Lincoln Bar Association
Member 2006-Present
Judicial Nominating Commission
Nebraska Judicial Dist. 1 Committee on Inquiry
Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
Member 2006-Present
President 2019-20
Robert Van Pelt American Inns of Court
Member 2011-Present
President 2020-21
Lancaster County Indigent Defense Advisory Committee
Experience Matters
Sarah argues for defendants' rights before the Nebraska Supreme Court
Sarah presents testimony for defendants' rights inside the Nebraska Supreme Court
Sarah has represented thousands of people facing everything from juvenile adjudications and traffic offenses to the death penalty — in nearly every jurisdiction in Nebraska. Her wide-ranging experience in both public and private practice, as well as within the judiciary, legislature, and academia, strengthen her legal practice and ongoing efforts to reform unfair criminal policies. I believe strongly that the criminal justice system only works if both sides are equally matched. Like a Valkyrie warrior, I have devoted my life to leveling the playing field and delivering justice for my clients.