New Castle County is the Northernmost of the three Counties in the State of Delaware. It accounts for nearly sixty percent of the state’s population, making it the most populous County in the state. According to the United States Census Bureau, the County’s estimated population as of 2022 stood at 575,494. Wilmington, the most populous city in the county, holds the county seat.

Courts in New Castle County

There are five courts in New Castle County, Delaware, and they all have jurisdiction over different cases. The courts include the Superior Court, Court of Chancery, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, and Justice of the Peace Courts.

The Superior Court has statewide original jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. However, its jurisdiction does not extend to equity cases and domestic relations matters. The court’s civil jurisdiction is without financial limits, and the kinds of cases the court hears include personal injury, property, legal malpractice, and contract claims. The court also has criminal jurisdiction over felonies and drug offenses.

The authority to hear and determine all matters about equity belongs to the Court of Chancery. This court has jurisdiction over corporate matters, trusts, estates, and contractual matters in general.

The Court of Common Pleas has jurisdiction over both criminal and civil cases. Its criminal jurisdiction extends to misdemeanors, while its civil jurisdiction extends to actions where the amount in controversy does not exceed $75,000.

The Family Court has extensive jurisdiction over all domestic matters. It exercises jurisdiction over cases like juvenile delinquency, child neglect, adoptions, divorces, and annulments. However, the family court does not enjoy jurisdiction over the juveniles charged with either first or second-degree murder, or adults charged with felonies.

The jurisdiction of Justice of the Peace Courts extends to civil cases involving debt and trespass in which the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000. It also has the jurisdiction to hear cases on certain misdemeanors.

Where to Find Public Court Records in New Castle County

Public court records are documents emanating from court proceedings and made accessible to the general public. These documents can be accessed online through the Delaware Courts electronic docket system. Alternatively, interested members of the public can visit the court’s physical location to access physical records. 

Types of Public Court Records in New Castle County

Interested individuals can get access to the following court records or documents upon request:

• Civil Records
• Criminal Records
• Family Matters
• Juvenile Matters
• Business and Corporate Law Cases

Confidential Court Records in New Castle County

Not all requests for court records put forth by individuals are granted in New Castle County. Some records are deemed confidential, and unless the court authorizes them, access to them is only granted to the parties involved and their lawyers. Some of such records include:

• Adoption Records
• Child Support Records
• Probate Records
• Mental Health Records
• Protection from Abuse Orders

Juvenile Delinquency in New Castle, DE

Unfortunately, in many areas of the New Castle County, juvenile delinquency issues are on the rise. There are many reasons for the rise in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Delaware often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of crimes, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 2 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of New Castle County. Of that total, 100% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 2 court cases. Another 0% were dependency cases that accounted for 0 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, New Castle County, are focusing on family therapy and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future New Castle County juvenile delinquency numbers will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of New Castle County, DE

https://delaware.gov/

County Seat:	Wilmington
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1673
Total Square Miles:	494
2019 Population:	559,793
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00
County Contact:	87 Reads Way County Government Center New Castle , DE 19720-1648 http://nccde.org/

New Castle County, DE Courts