Opinion ID: 1525173
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Appellate Criminal Jurisdiction

Text: This Court's jurisdiction to review Superior Court proceedings on appeal in criminal matters is limited to cases in which a final judgment has been rendered. Del. Const. art. IV, § 11(1)(b). For the purpose of appeal to this Court, a criminal proceeding becomes final on the date the sentence is imposed by the trial judge. Eller v. State, Del.Supr., 531 A.2d 948, 950 (1987). The Superior Court's denial of Hovey's motion to dismiss the indictment constitutes an interlocutory ruling in a criminal proceeding. Since this Court does not have jurisdiction to receive an interlocutory appeal in a criminal case, a writ of prohibition may not be used to accomplish indirectly what may not be done directly. Hodsdon v. Superior Court, Del.Supr., 239 A.2d 222, 224-25 (1968); Steigler v. Superior Court, Del.Supr., 252 A.2d 300, 302-03, cert. denied, 396 U.S. 880, 90 S.Ct. 160, 24 L.Ed.2d 139 (1969). That is, it may not be used to circumvent the constitutional limitation on the appellate jurisdiction of this Court to review only those criminal proceedings which have become final. Hodsdon v. Superior Court, 239 A.2d at 224.