Source: http://njdc.info/practice-policy-resources/state-profiles/delaware/
Timestamp: 2017-09-25 18:37:50
Document Index: 253356570

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 4601', '§ 4605', '§ 4602', '§ 1005', '§ 1004', '§ 1004', '§ 901', '§ 928', '§ 1009', '§ 1010', '§ 1010', '§ 1010', '§ 1010']

Delaware | NJDC
Delaware provides counsel to indigent youth through a statewide Public Defender that handles juvenile cases. 29 Del. Code Ann. § 4601. Additional services are provided by appointed attorneys in cases of conflict. 29 Del. Code Ann. § 4605. Indigent defense services in Delaware are state-funded.
Delaware has no statutorily required or recommended training requirements or standards for attorneys representing youth in delinquency proceedings.
In addition to statutes and case law, juvenile and family court proceedings are governed by court rules. These are often promulgated at the state level, but may also be passed at the local court level instead of or in addition to statewide rules. Delaware’s delinquency proceedings are governed by the Delaware Family Court Rules of Criminal Procedure.
In Delaware, youth in family court have the right to counsel:
Prior to the commencement of the arraignment. Del. Fam. Ct. R. Crim. P. 10.
Prior to the detention hearing. Del. Fam. Ct. R. Crim. P. 5.1.
At every stage of the proceeding, if without counsel. Del. Fam. Ct. R. Crim. P. 44(a).
On Appeal (unless relieved by the Appellate Court) Del. Fam. Ct. R. Crim. P. 38.2.
Delaware has no presumption of indigence in family court proceedings. Before arraignment, the indigence determination may be made by the public defender. At or after arraignment, the court makes the determination. 29 Del. Code Ann. § 4602(b). The financial situation of the child’s custodian is considered in the determination of whether a child qualifies for a public defender. Del. Fam. Ct. R. Crim. P. 44(a). However, a child may have counsel appointed upon request if the child’s custodian is not indigent but has refused to retain a lawyer for the child. Del. Fam. Ct. R. Crim. P. 10(a)(2) and 44(a).
The only restriction on a juvenile’s ability to waive the right to counsel is set out in Court Rules.
A waiver of the right to counsel by a child shall be in writing unless made in Court on the record or in the presence of the custodian. Del. Fam. Ct. R. Crim. P. 44(a).
When and how the court may decide to detain a child or otherwise place restrictions on the child’s freedom is defined by statute and court rules. In Delaware, when a peace officer takes a child into custody and charges the child with a delinquent act, the officer must “take the child directly before the Court if the Court is in session or take the child before a court or commissioner for disposition in accordance with § 1005 of this title.” 10 Del. Code Ann. § 1004. “If a child has been detained by another court pursuant to Rule 5(b)(2)(c), a detention hearing shall be held by this Court on the next day it is in session.” Del. Fam. Ct. R. Crim. P. 5.1. Provisions for the detention of juveniles are found in 10 Del. Code Ann. §§ 1004, 1005, and 1007, and in Del. Fam. Ct. R. Crim. P. 5.
The legal needs of children in the delinquency system rarely end at disposition, and states vary in the way they provide a right to representation on these post-disposition issues. Delaware court rules list one post-disposition proceeding at which youth have a right to counsel.
In Delaware, youth have a right to counsel in the following post-disposition proceedings:
The age of a child who comes within the jurisdiction of the state’s juvenile or family courts is defined by state law. In Delaware:
Family court has jurisdiction over offenses alleged to have been committed prior to a child’s 18th birthday; after age 18, the youth is charged in adult court; 10 Del. Code Ann. § 901(4).
Family court can retain jurisdiction over youth until age 21, provided that the offense alleged to have been committed occurred before the youth turned 18. 10 Del. Code Ann. § 928(b).
Despite the existence of juvenile courts, many youth are still tried as adults. Delaware has four ways that juveniles can be prosecuted as adults:
Discretionary Judicial Waiver: a hearing for amenability for transfer shall be held: Upon motion of the Court; whenever a child is 14 and the prosecutor requests a transfer; and whenever a child is 14 and charged in accordance with 10 Del. Code Ann. § 1009(c)(5);
Mandatory Judicial Waiver: the child is found not to be amenable to the rehabilitative processes of the juvenile court; 10 Del. Code Ann. § 1010;
Statutory Exclusion: where the child has committed certain violent felonies (delineated by statute); or where the child is sixteen, has committed certain offenses, and has previously been adjudicated delinquent, 10 Del. Code Ann. § 1010(a); or when child escapes from a facility and commits a felony for which there is a likelihood of conviction, 10 Del. Code Ann. § 1010(e);
Once an Adult/Always an Adult: 10 Del. Code Ann. § 1010(c)(3).
NJDC has not yet conducted an assessment of the juvenile indigent defense system in Delaware. If you would like to collaborate with NJDC to fundraise for, plan, or engage in an assessment in this state, please contact us.