Order Declaring a Judicial Emergency

The record

Jurisdiction

Supreme Court of the State of Delaware (Chief Justice; statewide) · Delaware

Level

Court

Authority

10 Del. C. § 2004(a) (declaration of judicial emergency for 'disease... affecting the ability to access the courthouses or the ability to staff courts'); 10 Del. C. ch. 20

Issued

2020-03-13 Mar. 13, 2020

Effective

2020-03-16 08:00 (read as 2020-03-16)

End

Thirty days, 'subject to further review'; extended in 30-day increments by Administrative Orders Nos. 4-22 until 8:00 a.m. July 13, 2021 (Ex. AGY-ST-COURTS-061) (read as 2021-07-13)

In force

Mar. 16, 2020 to July 13, 2021

Quarters

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3

2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3

Limitation types

Emergency declarationGathering capCourts and public offices

Addressees

• all trial courts in the State
• litigants, counsel, jurors and the public

Functions reached

• CT courts and agencies (all Delaware courts)
• SV servicing and collections
• CL closings
• PM property management (eviction dockets)
• WF workforce (jurors, witnesses)

Collection

State courts AGY-ST-COURTS

Operative words

1. Under the authority of 10 Del. C. § 2004, a judicial emergency is declared, to become effective March 16, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. and continuing for 30 days, subject to further review. 2. During the period of judicial emergency, all trial courts in the State shall have the discretion to continue trials and hearings in civil and criminal cases for a period of 30 days in order to limit the number of people gathering in public court buildings. 3. To the greatest extent possible, all trial courts in the State are authorized and encouraged to utilize audiovisual devices to conduct proceedings (except for jury trials). 4. During the period of judicial emergency, all time requirements under the Speedy Trial Guidelines are hereby tolled.

Enforcement

Notes