# 11 Del. C. § 201: § Â 201. General purposes

> Delaware · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S201

## Section

- **Citation:** 11 Del. C. § 201
- **Heading:** § Â 201. General purposes
- **Jurisdiction:** Delaware
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Delaware Code / Title 11 / Chapter 2 / Section 201

## Text

The general purposes of this Criminal Code are:

(1) To proscribe conduct which unjustifiably and inexcusably causes or threatens harm to individual or public interests;

(2) To give fair warning of the nature of the conduct proscribed and of the sentences authorized upon conviction;

(3) To define the act or omission and the accompanying mental state which constitute each offense;

(4) To differentiate upon reasonable grounds between serious and minor offenses and to prescribe proportionate penalties therefor; and

(5) To insure the public safety by preventing the commission of offenses through the deterrent influence of the sentences authorized, the rehabilitation of those convicted and their confinement when required in the interests of public protection.

## Nearby sections

- [11 Del. C. § 201 § Â
        201. General purposes.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S201.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 202 § Â
        202. All offenses defined by statute.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S202.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 203 § Â
        203. Principles of construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S203.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 204 § Â
        204. Territorial applicability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S204.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 205 § Â
        205. Time limitations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S205.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 206 § Â
        206. Method of prosecution when conduct constitutes more than 1 offense.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S206.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 207 § Â
        207. When prosecution is barred by former prosecution for the same offense.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S207.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 208 § Â
        208. When prosecution is barred by former prosecution for different offense.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S208.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 209 § Â
        209. Former prosecution in another jurisdiction; when a bar.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S209.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 210 § Â
        210. Former prosecution before court lacking jurisdiction or when fraudulently procured by defendant.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S210.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 211 § Â
        211. Repeal of statutes as affecting existing liabilities.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S211.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 221 § Â
        221. Principles of definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S221.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 222 § Â
        222. General definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S222.md)
- [11 Del. C. § 223 § Â
        223. Words of gender or number.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S223.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_DE_T11_C2_S201. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.