Opinion ID: 2054009
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Parties' Opening Brief Must Raise Appellate Issues

Text: The appealing party or cross-appellant is generally afforded the opportunity to select and frame the issues it wants to have considered on appeal. Murphy v. State, Del. Supr., 632 A.2d 1150, 1152 (1993). A corollary to that opportunity is a requirement that the appealing party's opening brief fully state the grounds for appeal, as well as the arguments and supporting authorities on each issue or claim of reversible error. Id. Accord Rossitto v. State, Del.Supr., 298 A.2d 775, 778 (1972). Consequently, this Court has held that the failure of a party appellant to present and argue a legal issue in the text of an opening brief constitutes a waiver of that claim on appeal. Murphy v. State, 632 A.2d at 1152.