2025 Annual Report Statistical Information
Court rules
Ask Donna
What actually matters in this document.
Text
2025 Annual Report Statistical Information
for the Delaware Judiciary
1
Contents
2025 Annual Report Statistical Information for the Delaware Judiciary ...................................................... 1
SUPREME COURT ...................................................................................................................................... 3
COURT OF CHANCERY ............................................................................................................................... 9
SUPERIOR COURT .................................................................................................................................... 14
FAMILY COURT ........................................................................................................................................ 24
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS ................................................................................................................... 33
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT................................................................................................................ 39
ALDERMAN’S COURTS............................................................................................................................. 47
2
SUPREME COURT
State of Delaware
2025 Annual Report Statistical
Information
3
Bd. on Prof. Resp. = Board on Professional Responsibility.
Bd. of Bar Exam. = Board of Bar Examiners.
Source: Court Administrator and Clerk of the Supreme Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
4
SUPREME COURT
Caseload Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025 - Filings
Court of Chancery
Superior Court
Family Court
Non-Court
Originated
Total
0
0%
236
100%
0
0%
0
0%
236
100%
111
37.0%
123
41.0%
66
22.0%
0
0%
300
100%
Other*
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
21
100%
21
100%
Total
111
19.9%
359
64.5%
66
11.8%
21
3.8%
557
100%
Criminal Appeals
Civil Appeals
Caseload Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025 - Dispositions
Court of Chancery
Superior Court
Family Court
Non-Court
Originated
0
Criminal Appeals
0
0%
232
100%
0
0%
Civil Appeals
87
31.9%
111
40.7%
75
27.5%
Other*
0
0%
0
0%
0
0%
Total
87
16.7%
343
65.7%
75
14.4%
17
Total
0%
232
100%
0
0%
273
100%
17
100%
17
100%
3.3%
522
100%
*Includes Original Applications; Certifications; Advisory Opinions; Appeals from the
Board on Professional Responsibility and the Board of Bar Examiners; and Other Filing
& Disposition Types.
Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.
Source: Court Administrator and Clerk of the Supreme Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
5
Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.
Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.
Bd. on Prof. Resp. = Board on Professional Responsibility.
Bd. of Bar Exam. = Board of Bar Examiners.
Source: Court Administrator and Clerk of the Supreme Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
6
*Average time from date submitted for judicial decision to actual date of disposition.
The time for a case that is submitted and disposed in the same day is zero. Not all
Supreme Court cases require a judicial decision.
BPR = Board on Professional Responsibility.
BBE = Board of Bar Examiners.
Source: Court Administrator and Clerk of the Supreme Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
7
SUPREME COURT
Performance Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025 - Elapsed Time by Disposition Type
Affirmed
Affirmed Part/Reversed Part
Reversed
Remanded
Voluntary Dismissal
Court Dismissal
Leave to Appeal Denied
Other
Total
Number of
Dispositions
294
6
16
4
59
125
11
7
522
Average Time From Filing
to Disposition
256.0
days
321.2
days
318.2
days
201.0
days
94.9
days
72.2
days
34.5
days
153.1
days
189.7
days
Average Time From
Submission to Disposition*
48.1
days
76.2
days
78.3
days
23.8
days
1.9
days
16.4
days
30.8
days
36.4
days
35.7
days
Performance Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025 - Elapsed Time by Disposition Method
Assigned Opinion
Per Curiam Opinion
Written Order
Voluntary Dismissal
Other
Total
Number of
Dispositions
42
1
420
59
0
522
Average Time From Filing
to Disposition
336.7
days
243.0
days
188.2
days
94.9
days
0.0
days
189.7
days
Average Time From
Submission to Disposition*
74.8
days
60.0
days
36.5
days
1.9
days
0.0
days
35.7
days
*Average time from date submitted for judicial decision to actual date of disposition.
The time for a case that is submitted and disposed in the same day is zero. Not all
Supreme Court cases require a judicial decision.
Source: Court Administrator and Clerk of the Supreme Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
8
COURT OF CHANCERY
State of Delaware
2025 Annual Report Statistical
Information
9
COURT OF CHANCERY
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Filings
State
2024
1,323 *
2025
1,404
Change
81
% Change
6.1%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Dispositions
State
2024
1,207
2024
1,466
Change
259
Source: Registers in Chancery; Administrative Office of the Courts.
% Change
21.5%
COURT OF CHANCERY
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Estates Filings
State
2024
3,391
2025
3,478
Change
87
% Change
2.6%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Estates Dispositions
State
2024
3,062
2025
3,174
Change
112
Source: Register of Wills; Administrative Office of the Courts.
10
% Change
3.7%
COURT OF CHANCERY
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Miscellaneous Matters
Filings
2024
307
State
2025
292
Change
-15
% Change
-4.9%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Miscellaneous Matters
Dispositions
2024
2025
Change
% Change
State
328
281
-47
-14.3%
COURT OF CHANCERY
Caseload Breakdown - Fiscal Year 2025 - Miscellaneous Matters Filings
State
Guardians for
Minors
25
8.6%
Guardians for
Infirm
262 89.7%
Trusts
0
Total
Other Matters
0.0%
5
1.7%
292
100%
Caseload Breakdown - Fiscal Year 2025 - Miscellaneous Matters Dispositions
Guardians for
Minors
State
58
20.6%
Guardians for
Infirm
215
76.5%
Trusts
6
Total
Other Matters
2.1%
Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.
2
0.7%
Source: Register in Chancery; Administrative Office of the Courts.
11
281
100%
COURT OF CHANCERY
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Case Filings*
State
2024
5,021
2025
5,174
Change
153
% Change
3.0%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Case Dispositions*
State
2024
4,597
2025
4,921
*Total includes Civil, Miscellaneous, and Estates.
Change
324
% Change
7.0%
Source: Registers in Chancery; Registers of Wills; Administrative Office of the Courts.
12
13
SUPERIOR COURT
State of Delaware
2025 Annual Report Statistical
Information
14
SUPERIOR COURT
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
7,082
1,157
1,261
9,500
2025
8,971
1,162
1,103
11,236
Change
1,889
5
-158
1,736
% Change
26.7%
0.4%
-12.5%
18.3%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Case Dispositions
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
6,679
1,210
1,245
9,134
2025
7,351
1,174
1,126
9,651
Change
672
-36
-119
517
% Change
10.1%
-3.0%
-9.6%
5.7%
Caseload Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025 - Civil Case Filings
Mechanic's Liens
and Mortgages
55.5%
805
9.0%
34.3%
276
23.8%
37.4%
266
24.1%
51.5% 1,347
12.0%
Complaints
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
4,979
399
413
5,791
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Involuntary
Miscellaneous
Commitments
605
6.7% 2,521
28.1%
91
7.8%
377
32.4%
46
4.2%
362
32.8%
742
6.6% 3,260
29.0%
15
Appeals
61
19
16
96
0.7%
1.6%
1.5%
0.9%
Total
8,971
1,162
1,103
11,236
100%
100%
100%
100%
Caseload Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025 - Civil Case
Dispositions
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Mechanic's Liens
and Mortgages
48.0%
838
11.4%
30.9%
302
25.7%
41.7%
277
24.6%
45.2% 1,417
14.7%
Complaints
Appeals
3,529
363
469
4,361
79
23
12
114
1.1%
2.0%
1.1%
1.2%
Involuntary
Miscellaneous
Total
Commitments
New Castle County
434
5.9% 2,471
33.6%
7,351
100%
Kent County
82
7.0%
404
34.4%
1,174
100%
Sussex County
42
3.7%
326
29.0%
1,126
100%
State
558
5.8% 3,201
33.2%
9,651
100%
Source: Prothonotary's Offices, Superior Court; Administrative Office of the Courts.
16
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Criminal Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
2,521
639
1,352
4,512
2025
2,262
733
1,299
4,294
Change
-259
94
-53
-218
% Change
-10.3%
14.7%
-3.9%
-4.8%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Criminal Case Dispositions
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
3,084
650
1,411
5,145
2025
2,338
708
1,274
4,320
Change
-746
58
-137
-825
% Change
-24.2%
8.9%
-9.7%
-16.0%
Source: Court Administrator and Case Scheduling Office, Superior Court; Administrative
Office of the Courts.
17
*Includes appeals, reinstatements, guilty pleas withdrawn, granted motions for new trial
and severances.
**Includes Probation Before Judgment & Guilty but Mentally Ill, First Offender Program
& civil possession of marijuana (RSP).
FOP = First Offender Program.
Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.
Source: Court Administrator and Case Scheduling Office, Superior Court; Administrative
Office of the Courts.
*Includes Acquittals, Dismissals at Trial, and Nolle Prosequis at Trial.
**Includes Hung Juries, Mistrials, and Reserved Decisions.
Source: Court Administrator and Case Scheduling Office, Superior Court; Administrative
Office of the Courts.
18
NPL = Nolle Prosequi entered at time of Sentencing
Source: Court Administrator and Case Scheduling Office, Superior Court; Administrative
Office of the Courts.
19
Types of Dispositions Fiscal Year 2025 - Criminal Felony Guilty Pleas
Pled Guilty
Original
New Castle County 1,006 88.1%
Kent County
323 84.8%
Sussex County
579 91.5%
State
1,908 88.5%
Pled Guilty
Lesser
136
11.9%
58
15.2%
54
8.5%
248
11.5%
Total
1,142
381
633
2,156
100%
100%
100%
100%
Types of Dispositions Fiscal Year 2025 - Criminal Misdemeanor Guilty Pleas
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Pled Guilty
Original
395 66.3%
57 43.8%
215 56.1%
667 60.1%
Pled Guilty
Lesser*
201
33.7%
73
56.2%
168
43.9%
442
39.9%
Total
596
130
383
1,109
100%
100%
100%
100%
Types of Dispositions Fiscal Year 2025 - Criminal Total Guilty Pleas
Pled Guilty
Original
New Castle County 1,401 80.6%
Kent County
380 74.4%
Sussex County
794 78.1%
State
2,575 78.9%
Pled Guilty
Lesser*
337
19.4%
131
25.6%
222
21.9%
690
21.1%
Percentages may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
Total
1,738
511
1,016
3,265
100%
100%
100%
100%
*Includes Probation Before Judgment & Guilty but Mentally Ill, First Offender Program &
civil possession of marijuana (RSP).
Source: Court Administrator and Case Scheduling Office, Superior Court; Administrative
Office of the Courts.
20
Performance Summary Fiscal Year 2025 - Criminal Cases - Elapsed Time
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Total Number of
Cases
Disposed
Average Time
from Arrest to
Disposition
Average Time from
Indictment to
Disposition
2,319
701
1,262
4,282
287.8 days
256.3 days
285.6 days
282.0 days
190.0 days
160.8 days
231.1 days
197.3 days
Performance Summary Fiscal Year 2025 - Criminal Cases - Compliance
with Speedy Trial Standards
Total Number of
Cases Disposed
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2,319
701
1,262
4,282
Disposed of within
Disposed of within 365
Disposed of within 180
120 Days of
Days of Indictment
Days of Indictment (98%)
Indictment (90%)
(100%)
1,378
317
447
2,142
59.4%
45.2%
35.4%
50.0%
1,707
426
718
2,851
73.6% 2,105
60.8%
620
56.9% 1,117
66.6% 3,842
Criminal Cases Performance Explanatory Notes - Fiscal Year 2025
90.8%
88.4%
88.5%
89.7%
1. The performance summary charts measure the average time from the date of
arrest to the date of disposition as well as the average time from the date of
indictment/information to the date of disposition.
2. In measuring the elapsed time for defendants for the purpose of determining the
rate of compliance with the speedy trial standards, the following are excluded by
the Court:
a) For all capiases, the time between the date that the capias is issued and
the date that it is executed.
b) For all Rule 9 summonses and Rule 9 warrants, the time between the
arrest and the indictment/information, if any.
c) For all mental examinations, the time between the date that the
examination is ordered and the date of the receipt of the results.
d) For all defendants deemed to be incompetent, the period in which the
defendant is considered incompetent.
21
Source: Court Administrator and Case Scheduling Office, Superior Court; Administrative
Office of the Courts.
Source: Court Administrator, Prothonotary's Offices, and Case Scheduling Office,
Superior Court; Administrative Office of the Courts.
22
23
FAMILY COURT
State of Delaware
2025 Annual Report Statistical
Information
24
FAMILY COURT
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Adult Criminal Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
2,705
1,041
854
4,600
2025
2,776
1,064
939
4,779
Change
71
23
85
179
% Change
2.6%
2.2%
10.0%
3.9%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Adult Criminal Dispositions
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
3,265
1,417
844
5,526
2025
2,746
1,242
815
4,803
Change
-519
-175
-29
-723
% Change
-15.9%
-12.4%
-3.4%
-13.1%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
17,921
6,913
7,657
32,491
2025
20,283
7,906
8,726
36,915
Change
2,362
993
1,069
4,424
% Change
13.2%
14.4%
14.0%
13.6%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Case Dispositions
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
18,684
7,031
7,501
33,216
2025
19,168
7,477
7,983
34,628
Change
484
446
482
1,412
% Change
2.6%
6.3%
6.4%
4.3%
Source: Court Administrator, Family Court; Administrative Office of the Courts.
25
FAMILY COURT
Caseload Breakdown - Fiscal Year 2025 - Civil Case Filings
Child Support/New
Non-support
Child Support/
Modifications
Child Support/
Arrearages
Child
Support/Verified
Notice of Income
Attachment
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
2,716
978
1,141
13.4%
12.4%
13.1%
692
378
354
3.4%
4.8%
4.1%
2,327
352
1,074
11.5%
4.5%
12.3%
4
0
0
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
State
4,835
13.1%
1,424
3.9%
3,753
10.2%
4
0.0%
Child Support/
Determination of
Parentage
Child
Support/Revocation
Child Support/
Child Support/Notice
Registration of Foreign
of Admin. Adjustment
Order
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
154
68
66
0.8%
0.9%
0.8%
164
97
34
0.8%
1.2%
0.4%
137
59
54
0.7%
0.7%
0.6%
2,329
794
1,600
11.5%
10.0%
18.3%
State
288
0.8%
295
0.8%
250
0.7%
4,723
12.8%
Child Support/Other
Support
Custody
Dependency/Neglect
Visitation
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
5
15
2
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
1,565
658
622
7.7%
8.3%
7.1%
126
43
25
0.6%
0.5%
0.3%
206
72
62
1.0%
0.9%
0.7%
State
22
0.1%
2,845
7.7%
194
0.5%
340
0.9%
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Termination of
Cases with Ancillaries
Parental Rights
103
0.5%
571
2.8%
35
0.4%
237
3.0%
19
0.2%
335
3.8%
157
0.4%
Expungements (Juv.
& Adult)
1,143
3.1%
Imperiling Family
Relationships
Guardianship
Spousal Support
720
387
343
3.5%
4.9%
3.9%
41
15
11
0.2%
0.2%
0.1%
1,450
3.9%
67
0.2%
Protection from Abuse
Divorce/Annulment
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
3,309
1381
1154
16.3%
17.5%
13.2%
19
5
2
0.1%
0.1%
0.0%
2,767
1,330
849
13.6%
16.8%
9.7%
1,528
684
728
7.5%
8.7%
8.3%
State
5,844
15.8%
26
0.1%
4,946
13.4%
2,940
8.0%
Rules to Show
Cause/Other Civil
Contempt
Minor Name Change
Miscellaneous Civil
Adoption
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
428
152
106
2.1%
1.9%
1.2%
154
74
63
0.8%
0.9%
0.7%
106
41
49
0.5%
0.5%
0.6%
112
51
33
0.6%
0.6%
0.4%
State
686
1.9%
291
0.8%
196
0.5%
196
0.5%
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
Total
20,283
7,906
8,726
100%
100%
100%
State
36,915
100%
Source: Court Administrator, Family Court; Administrative Office of the Courts.
26
FAMILY COURT
Caseload Breakdown - Fiscal Year 2025 - Civil Case Dispositions
Child Support/New
Non-support
Child Support/
Modifications
Child Support/
Arrearages
Child
Support/Verified
Notice of Income
Attachment
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
2,780
893
963
14.5%
11.9%
12.1%
669
427
323
3.5%
5.7%
4.0%
2,314
348
1,141
12.1%
4.7%
14.3%
2
0
0
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
State
4,636
13.4%
1,419
4.1%
3,803
11.0%
2
0.0%
Child Support/
Determination of
Parentage
Child
Support/Revocation
Child Support/
Child Support/Notice
Registration of Foreign
of Admin. Adjustment
Order
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
184
48
53
1.0%
0.6%
0.7%
174
91
41
0.9%
1.2%
0.5%
150
45
56
0.8%
0.6%
0.7%
2,326
797
1,597
12.1%
10.7%
20.0%
State
285
0.8%
306
0.9%
251
0.7%
4,720
13.6%
Child Support/Other
Support
Custody
Dependency/Neglect
Visitation
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
5
16
3
0.0%
0.2%
0.0%
1,614
683
613
8.4%
9.1%
7.7%
146
67
29
0.8%
0.9%
0.4%
220
66
74
1.1%
0.9%
0.9%
State
24
0.1%
2,910
8.4%
242
0.7%
360
1.0%
Termination of
Parental Rights
Cases with Ancillaries
Guardianship
Spousal Support
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
95
45
23
0.5%
0.6%
0.3%
359
186
180
1.9%
2.5%
2.3%
765
385
358
4.0%
5.1%
4.5%
37
18
7
0.2%
0.2%
0.1%
State
163
0.5%
725
2.1%
1,508
4.4%
62
0.2%
Expungements (Juv.
& Adult)
Imperiling Family
Relationships
Protection from Abuse
Divorce/Annulment
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
2,251
976
682
11.7%
13.1%
8.5%
25
6
3
0.1%
0.1%
0.0%
2,675
1,375
842
14.0%
18.4%
10.5%
1,548
676
747
8.1%
9.0%
9.4%
State
3,909
11.3%
34
0.1%
4,892
14.1%
2,971
8.6%
Rules to Show
Cause/Other Civil
Contempt
Minor Name Change
Miscellaneous Civil
Adoption
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
456
171
112
2.4%
2.3%
1.4%
157
68
61
0.8%
0.9%
0.8%
134
46
54
0.7%
0.6%
0.7%
82
44
21
0.4%
0.6%
0.3%
State
739
2.1%
286
0.8%
234
0.7%
147
0.4%
Total
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
19,168
7,477
7,983
100%
100%
100%
State
34,628
100%
Source: Court Administrator, Family Court; Administrative Office of the Courts.
27
FAMILY COURT
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Juvenile Delinquency
Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
1,906
806
1,029
3,741
2025
1,814
728
904
3,446
Change
-92
-78
-125
-295
% Change
-4.8%
-9.7%
-12.1%
-7.9%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Juvenile Delinquency
Case Dispositions
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2025
1,848
998
1,006
3,852
2024
1,952
1,069
1,018
4,039
Change
-104
-71
-12
-187
% Change
-5.3%
-6.6%
-1.2%
-4.6%
Source: Court Administrator, Family Court; Administrative Office of the Courts.
28
FAMILY COURT
Caseload Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025 - Juvenile Delinquency Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Felony
503 27.7%
215 29.5%
180 19.9%
898 26.1%
Misdemeanor
931 51.3%
333 45.7%
396 43.8%
1,660 48.2%
Traffic
143
7.9%
83 11.4%
156 17.3%
382 11.1%
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
VOP
All Other Charges
180
9.9%
51
2.8%
45
6.2%
41
5.6%
29
3.2%
138 15.3%
254
7.4%
230
6.7%
Total
1,814 100%
728 100%
904 100%
3,446 100%
Truancy
6
0.3%
11
1.5%
5
0.6%
22
0.6%
Caseload Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025 - Juvenile Delinquency Case Dispositions
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Felony
566 30.6%
322 32.3%
191 19.0%
1,079 28.0%
Misdemeanor
863 46.7%
458 45.9%
469 46.6%
1,790 46.5%
Traffic
174
9.4%
111 11.1%
167 16.6%
452 11.7%
VOP
All Other Charges
180
9.7%
57
3.1%
50
5.0%
48
4.8%
26
2.6%
142 14.1%
256
6.6%
247
6.4%
Total
1,848 100%
998 100%
1,006 100%
3,852 100%
Truancy
8
0.4%
9
0.9%
11
1.1%
28
0.7%
VOP = Violations of Probation.
Source: Court Administrator, Family Court; Administrative Office of the Courts.
29
FAMILY COURT
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025- Mediation Hearings
Scheduled
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
5,667
2,642
2,639
10,948
2025
6,276
2,676
2,624
11,576
Change
609
34
-15
628
% Change
10.7%
1.3%
-0.6%
5.7%
Note: Mediation is the process prior to adjudication in which a trained mediator attempts
to assist the parties in reaching an agreement. If the parties are unable to reach an
agreement, the matter is scheduled to be heard before a Commissioner or Judge..
FAMILY COURT
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
22,532
8,760
9,540
40,832
2025
24,873
9,698
10,569
45,140
Change
2,341
938
1,029
4,308
% Change
10.4%
10.7%
10.8%
10.6%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025- Total Case Dispositions
2025
Change
% Change
2024
New Castle County
23,762
-139
-0.6%
23,901
Kent County
9,717
200
2.1%
9,517
Sussex County
9,804
441
4.7%
9,363
State
43,283
502
1.2%
42,781
Source: Court Administrator, Family Court; Administrative Office of the Courts
30
Notes:
A civil filing is defined as one petition or one single civil incident filed with the Family
Court. In a divorce matter, although the petition may contain multiple ancillary matters
to the divorce, it is counted as only one filing.
A civil filing categorized as a "Case with Ancillary" is defined as a divorce with at least
one ancillary, although the petition may contain multiple ancillary matters to the divorce,
it is counted as only one filing. These were first counted in SFY2023. Ancillaries have
always been a filing type; however, these were not included in prior years' filing counts.
For example, if a divorce is filed with a property division ancillary and a temporary
alimony ancillary, it is counted once under the "Divorce" category and once under the
"Cases with Ancillary" category.
Beginning in January 2024, some civil cases that originated in Kent and Sussex
Counties were being handled by New Castle Judges as part of an effort to equitably
distribute cases across all of Family Court’s Judges. This process concluded in April
2025.
A criminal or delinquency filing is defined as one incident filed against one individual or
defendant. A single criminal or juvenile delinquency filing may be comprised of a single
or multiple charges relating to a single incident.
31
During the course of reviewing the SFY2024 report, it was discovered that Juvenile
Truancy, Juvenile Civil Citations, and Juvenile Violations were not consistently being
counted when these statutes represent the first charge sequence. Family Court worked
with the Judicial Information Center to correct these incongruities for the SFY2024
report and moving forward. As part of this correction, it was decided that Adult Truancy
would be broken out from the ‘All Other Charges’ section to remain consistent with the
Juvenile section.
Mediation is the process prior to adjudication in which a trained mediator attempts to
assist the parties in reaching an agreement. If the parties are unable to reach an
agreement or the mediation does not occur as scheduled, the matter is scheduled to be
heard before a Commissioner or Judge or rescheduled back to a mediation calendar.
Custody, support, visitation, determination of parentage, guardianship, imperiling family
relations, and rule to show cause filings are scheduled for mediation unless bypass
mediation rules apply as indicated in 13 Del. C. § 711A and 13 Del. C. § 728A; Family
Court Procedures OCI-914 and OCI-902.
Automatic Expungements/Pardons resulting in Automatic Juvenile Expungements are
counted as filings in this report due to the amount of staff effort to process them.
Although there is not a disposition from a Hearing Officer for Automatic Expungements,
the directive letter from SBI is acted upon by our staff. Therefore, the resolution of
these types of filings are added to the same month they are received in the Disposition
sections of this report.
Due to expungements, Delinquency and Criminal Filing/Disposition stats were taken
from reports ran each month throughout the year. While this method will not catch all
filing and dispositions that may have been expunged, this is the method that will allow
us to capture the most. The volume of expungements will affect all data regarding
juvenile criminal charges. Any decreases from prior FYs should not be assumed to be
actual decreases as we don't have a definitive way to measure the impact of all the
charges immediately expunged. The Expungement filing has gone up by 145% from
FY24 to FY25 due to Clean Slate Initiative.
FY 2020 through FY 2024 Stats were most likely impacted by the worldwide COVID-19
pandemic and changes from past or future years should consider this impact.
32
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
State of Delaware
2025 Annual Report Statistical
Information
33
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Caseload Summary - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Case Filings
2024
5,897
1,875
1,842
9,614
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2025
8,873
3,282
2,867
15,022
Change
2,976
1,407
1,025
5,408
% Change
50.5%
75.0%
55.6%
56.3%
Caseload Summary - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Case Dispositions
2024
2,653
838
828
4,319
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2025
3,266
1,019
1,082
5,367
Change
613
181
254
1,048
% Change
23.1%
21.6%
30.7%
24.3%
Caseload Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025- Civil Case Filings
Complaints
New Castle County 6,634
Kent County
2,381
Sussex County
2,032
State
11,047
Civil Judgments,
Name Changes &
Appeals
74.8%
72.5%
70.9%
73.5%
2,239
901
835
3,975
34
25.2%
27.5%
29.1%
26.5%
Total
8,873
3,282
2,867
15,022
100%
100%
100%
100%
35
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Caseload Summary - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Criminal Misdemeanor
Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
30,347
21,587
27,641
79,575
2025
33,913
23,940
28,207
86,060
Change
3,566
2,353
566
6,485
% Change
11.8%
10.9%
2.0%
8.1%
Caseload Summary - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Criminal Misdemeanor
Case Dispositions
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
26,125
17,632
21,548
65,305
2025
25,982
16,351
20,953
63,286
Change
-143
-1,281
-595
-2,019
% Change
-0.5%
-7.3%
-2.8%
-3.1%
Caseload Summary - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Criminal Preliminary
Hearing Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
3,565
1,668
1,843
7,076
2025
3,823
1,852
2,075
7,750
36
Change
258
184
232
674
% Change
7.2%
11.0%
12.6%
9.5%
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Caseload Summary - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Criminal
Misdemeanor and Civil Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
36,244
23,462
29,483
89,189
2025
42,786
27,222
31,074
101,082
Change
6,542
3,760
1,591
11,893
% Change
18.0%
16.0%
5.4%
13.3%
Caseload Summary - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Criminal
Misdemeanor and Civil Case Dispositions
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
2024
28,778
18,470
22,376
69,624
2025
29,248
17,370
22,035
68,653
37
Change
470
-1,100
-341
-971
% Change
1.6%
-6.0%
-1.5%
-1.4%
Source: Court Administrator, Court of Common Pleas; Administrative Office of the
Courts.
38
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT
State of Delaware
2025 Annual Report Statistical
Information
39
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT
Caseload Summary - Fiscal Year 2025 - Civil Cases
Filings
Dispositions
Court 9
Court 13
435
19,385
974
13,924
Court 16
13,599
10,926
Court 17
8,483
41,902
7,165
32,989
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Case Filings
2024
2025
Change
% Change
Court 9
Court 13
390
17,229
435
19,385
45
2,156
11.5%
12.5%
Court 16
11,155
13,599
2,444
21.9%
Court 17
6,827
35,601
8,483
41,902
1,656
6,301
24.3%
17.7%
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Civil Case Dispositions
2024
2025
Change
% Change
Court 9
Court 13
1,461
13,979
974
13,924
-487
-55
-33.3%
-0.4%
Court 16
9,209
10,926
1,717
18.6%
Court 17
5,257
29,906
7,165
32,989
1,908
3,083
36.3%
10.3%
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Source: Chief Magistrate's Office, Justice of the Peace Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
40
Caseload Breakdowns - Fiscal Year 2025 - Civil Case Filings
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
State
Complaints
Landlord/Tenant
Total
Court 9
Court 13
148
11,862
34.0%
61.2%
287
7,523
66.0%
38.8%
435
19,385
100%
100%
Court 16
11,331
83.3%
2,268
16.7%
13,599
100%
Court 17
6,788
30,129
80.0%
71.9%
1,695
11,773
20.0%
28.1%
8,483
41,902
100%
100%
Source: Chief Magistrate's Office, Justice of the Peace Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
*Criminal filings and disposition information is by charge.
41
VAC = Voluntary Assessment Center. TRS = Truancy Court Sussex.
Source: Chief Magistrate's Office, Justice of the Peace Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
42
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Criminal and Traffic Filings (Defendants)
2024
2025
Change
% Change
Court 9
Court 10
Court 11
Court 20
2,761
0
23,577
8,598
3,239
0
25,658
8,935
478
0
2,081
337
17.3%
0%
8.8%
3.9%
Court 6
Court 7
Court 8
3,818
14,319
2,023
3,597
18,267
1,412
-221
3,948
-611
-5.8%
27.6%
-30.2%
Court 2
Court 3
Court 4
Court 14
TRS
State Without VAC
VAC
State with VAC
15,152
11,094
5,132
2,331
141
88,946
91,273
180,219
14,903
11,346
5,393
2,612
164
95,526
92,348
187,874
-249
252
261
281
23
6,580
1,075
7,655
-1.6%
2.3%
5.1%
12.1%
16.3%
7.4%
1.2%
4.2%
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Criminal and Traffic Filings (Charges)
2024
2025
Change
% Change
Court 9
Court 10
Court 11
Court 20
4,963
0
57,525
17,367
6,159
0
62,316
18,988
1,196
0
4,791
1,621
24.1%
0%
8.3%
9.3%
Court 6
Court 7
Court 8
7,051
33,107
3,950
6,871
42,278
2,671
-180
9,171
-1,279
-2.6%
27.7%
-32.4%
Court 2
Court 3
Court 4
Court 14
TRS
State Without VAC
VAC
State with VAC
37,074
29,054
11,079
6,189
153
207,512
102,530
310,042
37,259
28,717
11,153
6,608
176
223,196
104,607
327,803
185
-337
74
419
23
15,684
2,077
17,761
0.5%
-1.2%
0.7%
6.8%
15.0%
7.6%
2.0%
5.7%
New Castle County
Kent County
Sussex County
VAC = Voluntary Assessment Center. TRS = Truancy Court Sussex.
Source: Chief Magistrate's Office, Justice of the Peace Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
43
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT
Court Rankings - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Cases Filed* (Charges)
2024 Rank w/o VAC
1
3
2
4
6
5
7
8
10
9
11
12
13
14
2025 Rank w/o
VAC
2025 Total Filings
1
Court 11
2
Court 7
3
Court 2
4
Court 3
5
Court 13
6
Court 20
7
Court 16
8
Court 4
9
Court 17
10
Court 6
11
Court 14
12
Court 9
13
Court 8
14
TRS
2025 State w/o VAC
2025 VAC
2025 State w/ VAC
2025 % of Total w/o VAC
62,316
42,278
37,259
28,717
19,385
18,988
13,599
11,153
8,483
6,871
6,608
6,594
2,671
176
265,098
104,607
369,705
23.5%
15.9%
14.1%
10.8%
7.3%
7.2%
5.1%
4.2%
3.2%
2.6%
2.5%
2.5%
1.0%
0.1%
100%
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT
Court Rankings - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Cases Filed* (Defendants)
2024 Rank w/o VAC
1
2
4
3
5
6
7
8
9
11
10
12
13
14
2025 Rank w/o
VAC
2025 Total Filings
1
Court 11
2
Court 13
3
Court 7
4
Court 2
5
Court 16
6
Court 3
7
Court 20
8
Court 17
9
Court 4
10
Court 9
11
Court 6
12
Court 14
13
Court 8
14
TRS
2025 State w/o VAC
2025 VAC
2025 State w/ VAC
*Includes civil, criminal, and traffic filings.
2025 % of Total w/o VAC
25,658
19,835
18,267
14,903
13,599
11,346
8,935
8,483
5,393
3,674
3,597
2,612
1,412
164
137,878
92,348
230,226
18.6%
14.4%
13.2%
10.8%
9.9%
8.2%
6.5%
6.2%
3.9%
2.7%
2.6%
1.9%
1.0%
0.2%
100%
VAC = Voluntary Assessment Center. TRS = Truancy Court Sussex.
Source: Chief Magistrate's Office, Justice of the Peace Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
44
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Cases Filed (Charges)
Criminal & Traffic
Civil
Total
2024
310,042
35,601
345,643
2025
327,803
41,902
369,705
Change
17,761
6,301
24,062
% Change
5.7%
17.7%
7.0%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Cases Disposed (Charges)
Criminal & Traffic
Civil
Total
2024
323,772
29,906
353,678
2025
317,807
32,989
350,796
Change
-5,965
3,083
-2,882
% Change
-1.8%
10.3%
-0.8%
Criminal & Traffic
Civil
Total
2024
180,219
35,601
215,820
2025
187,874
41,902
229,776
Change
7,655
6,301
13,956
% Change
4.2%
17.7%
6.5%
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Case Filings (Defendants)
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Cases Dispositions
(Defendants)
Criminal & Traffic
Civil
Total
2024
187,154
29,906
217,060
2025
182,122
32,989
215,111
Change
-5,032
3,083
-1,949
% Change
-2.7%
10.3%
-0.9%
Source: Chief Magistrate's Office, Justice of the Peace Court; Administrative Office of
the Courts.
45
*Criminal filings and disposition information is by defendant.
46
ALDERMAN’S COURTS
State of Delaware
2025 Annual Report Statistical
Information
47
ALDERMAN'S COURTS*
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Filings
New Castle County
Newark
Newport
Sussex County
Bethany Beach
Dewey Beach
Laurel
Rehoboth Beach
State
2024
2025
Change
% Change
6,589
2,541
7,897
2,944
1,308
403
19.9%
15.9%
14
1,130
3,430
1,750
15,454
11
1,155
2,022
2,135
16,164
-3
25
-1,408
385
710
-21.4%
2.2%
-41.0%
22.0%
4.6%
Caseload Comparison - Fiscal Years 2024-2025 - Total Dispositions
New Castle County
Newark
Newport
Sussex County
Bethany Beach
Dewey Beach
Laurel
Rehoboth Beach
State
2024
2025
Change
% Change
5,075
1,987
5,991
2,206
916
219
18.0%
11.0%
9
1,729
2,988
1,588
13,376
13
2,218
2,067
1,913
14,408
4
489
-921
325
1,032
44.4%
28.3%
-30.8%
20.5%
7.7%
Notes: 1) The unit of count for criminal and traffic cases is the charge. For example, a
defendant with three charges disposed of is counted as three dispositions. 2) Newport
and Rehoboth Beach did not have criminal filings or dispositions. Laurel did not have
Civil filings or dispositions. Bethany Beach did not have Traffic filings or dispositions.
*Alderman's Courts are not part of the Delaware court system. They are independent
entities within their respective Municipalities. However, cases may be transferred or
appealed to a state court.
Source: Alderman's Courts; Administrative Office of the Courts.
48
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.