Opinion ID: 1424945
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Prior Delaware Precedents

Text: Of course, there was no such entity as the State Police in 1897. But there were sheriffs and other conservators of the peace. [15] Did the framers intend that persons holding these positions would be deemed to hold [an] office under this State? Does it follow that all modern-day State Troopers, being conservators of the peace, hold office under the State? In 1995 the Justices concluded [16] that each member of a board or commission appointed pursuant to Title 23 or 24 of the Delaware Code possesses the essential characteristics of a public officer as that term is used in Article XV, § 5, of the Delaware Constitution, and therefore they could hold over in office. [17] It makes no difference whether a public office is created by a statute or the Constitution itself. [18] There is no single definition of public officer, but there are certain characteristics, including: (1) the exercise of some portion of the State's sovereign power, (2) tenure in office, (3) fees and emoluments, and (4) oaths of office. [19] We should add to this list a fifth characteristic: The powers and duties of position are conferred and defined by law. [20] Importantly, however, Delaware jurisprudence does not rigidly require that each of these characteristics must be met in order for one to qualify as a public officer. [21] Under our jurisprudence, these characteristics are merely indicia of office used as guidelines for judicial analysis, not immutable criteria conjunctively stated. [22] It has been argued in this matter by counsel advocating the negative to the question presented that there must be legislation or a constitutional provision creating the specific office under the State. We do not believe that is a necessary criterion. One of these characteristics stands out above the others: the exercise of some portion of the State sovereign power. [23] In our view, that exercise must have some element of independence as well. That is, the person must have an independent governmental duty that he or she is required to undertake by virtue of his position, [24] not solely as an instrumentality directed by another. [25]