# 2025 Annual Report Statistical Information > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/court_rules%3Ade%3A6ed889b813749daf ## Record - **Collection:** Court rules - **Document type:** Court rule ## 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 --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/court_rules%3Ade%3A6ed889b813749daf. Public record. Not legal advice.