The Delaware Court of Common Pleas has issued new standing order to help limit the spread of COVID-19 virus. The order requires jury trials to be rescheduled, those in custody will be offered the option of alternate proceedings, according to the court. The order takes effect Monday, March 16, 2020.
It is of the utmost importance that parties communicate with each other and the Court as the impact of the COVID-19 virus continues to develop. In the event that any in-court proceeding would require the presence of a person infected or potentially exposed to COVID-19, that person should not attend the proceeding and promptly notify the opposing party and to the Court.
In addition, the Court of Common Pleas is implementing the following:
Criminal Proceedings. All jury trials will be rescheduled; persons in custody awaiting jury trial will be afforded the opportunity to consider alternative proceedings. All other in-court criminal proceedings scheduled from March 16, 2020, through May 1, 2020, will be rescheduled, with the following exceptions:
▪ All proceedings involving persons in custody and emergency reviews of bail will not be rescheduled, but may proceed via telephone or video conferencing or other means where practicable;
▪ Treatment Court proceedings shall proceed only at the discretion of the Judge, and where the treatment need is determined as clinically necessary;
▪ On a case-by-case basis, the Court may order certain non-jury matters to proceed as scheduled.
Civil Proceedings. There will be limited civil matters scheduled, which shall be conducted via telephone or video conferencing where practicable.
For additional information, please refer to the Court of Common Pleas Standing Order Concerning COVID-19 Precautionary Measures https://courts.delaware.gov/rules/pdf/CCP- Standing-Order-Concerning-COVID-19-
For questions, please contact the Court of Common Pleas at:
New Castle County: (302) 255-0900
Kent County: (302) 735-3900
Sussex County: (302) 858-5700
If you believe you have been exposed or have been in contact with someone exposed to the COVID-19 virus, or if you are exhibiting symptoms of the COVID-19 virus identified by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, please contact your attorney and/or the Court of Common Pleas to schedule your appearance on a new date.