The Delaware Judiciary Adopts Permanent Rules to Allow Cellphones and Other Personal Electronic Devices in All Court Facilities

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Following a successful two-year pilot program, the Delaware Supreme Court has adopted a permanent policy that allows cell phones and other personal electronic devices (or PEDs) to be used with restrictions in state courthouses. The permanent policy will go into effect on August 7th. The new cell phone policy will follow the rules established during…

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First-Ever Delaware Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Integration Summit

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The Delaware Judiciary, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), held the first-ever Delaware Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Integration Summit this week. The purpose of the event was to bring together a broad cross-section of criminal justice, law enforcement and public health professionals to discuss, address and collaborate on…

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New Bail Rules Get Approval Of Del. Supreme Court

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After several years of study and recommendations from a court-appointed committee, the Delaware Supreme Court has adopted new criminal pretrial release rules that take effect April 4th – replacing interim rules that took effect in December 2018 under the Bail Reform Act.The new rules were created to simplify and clarify the interim rule, while keeping…

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Del. Mask Mandate In Court Facilities Expires Wed.

The rule that requires Delaware court employees and members of the public to wear a mask in court facilities will be lifted this Wednesday, March 2nd. The mask mandate was implemented last August following a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections due to the spread of the Delta variant at the time. A mandatory testing program…

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Del. Judicial Emergency To End July 13th

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Delaware’s COVID-19 judicial emergency will come to an end July 13th, along with Delaware’s state of emergency. A mask mandate will also be lifted for fully vaccinated people who visit or work in court facilities effective Thursday, July 1st.People who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear face coverings in judicial facilities. Chief Justice…

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Del. Courts Form Domestic Violence Bail Review Task Force

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Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice Collins Seitz Junior has announced formation of the Delaware Domestic Violence Bail Review Task Force. The panel is expected to come up with recommendations surrounding judicial bail procedures in domestic violence cases and recommend best practices. Members of the judiciary, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victim advocates and legislators will serve on…

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Del. Courts Unveil Diversity Initiative

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Delaware is looking to make progress with diversity in the courts. Supreme Court Chief Justice Collins Seitz Junior Monday announced the Delaware Bench and Bar Diversity Project. A steering committee of judicial officers, individuals and organizations will lead efforts to build and sustain a more diverse bench and bar. The project was launched in collaboration…

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Del. Jury Trials May Resume In June

Jury trials in Delaware may resume in June, as courts prepare to move into Phase Three of reopening. Chief Justice Collins Seitz Junior said Friday that with COVID-19 health metrics improving, the courts hope to resume more normal court operations in June. Courts also plan to schedule vaccination clinics for members of the judiciary and…

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Del. Courts Put Jury Trials On Hold

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Delaware courts have again put jury trials on hold due to rising rates of COVID-19 cases in the general community. Chief Justice Collins Seitz Junior said Monday that court facilities are still open to the public, but as the courts step back to Phase Two of reopening capacity is reduced from 75-percent to 50-percent. No…

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Jury Trials Set To Resume Next Month In Del.

A jury box at the New Castle County Court House in Wilmington (photo courtesy, Delaware Judiciary)
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Jury trials are scheduled to start up again in October in Delaware under a plan released by Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz Junior. The judicial emergency and its terms are also extended an additional 30 days until October 5th. Jury trials would mark a move into a modified phase three of a four-phase court reopening…

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