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Delaware Court of Common Pleas

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The Delaware Court of Common Pleas resides in Delaware. Click on the links below to learn more about the court's...

Jurisdiction

This court holds the following jurisdiction:[1]

Criminal Jurisdiction (Jury Trial Election Available)
  • Misdemeanors, including Misdemeanor Drug Offenses for persons over the age of 18
  • Motor Vehicle Offenses
  • Preliminary Hearings in Felony Charges
  • Appeals of Criminal Matters from the Justice of the Peace Courts
  • Appeals of Criminal Matters from Alderman's Courts

Civil Jurisdiction (Jury Trial Election Not Available)

  • Lawsuits where the amount in controversy does not exceed $75,000.00 (as of October 21, 2019)
  • Change of Name Petitions
  • Habitual Offender Motor Vehicle Hearings
  • Administrative Appeals from the Division of Motor Vehicles
  • Appeals of Civil Lawsuits from the Justice of the Peace Courts[2]

Selection method

See also: Assisted gubernatorial appointment

Judges of the Delaware Court of Common Pleas are each appointed to 12-year terms by the governor.[3] To serve on this court, a judge must be a local and state resident, have a law degree and have practiced law in the state for five years.

See also



External links

Footnotes

  1. Delaware Courts Judicial Branch, "Court of Common Pleas - Jurisdiction," accessed May 11, 2023
  2. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  3. Delaware State Courts, "Court of Common Pleas Judicial Officers," accessed July 22, 2015