Opinion ID: 1472650
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Superior Court Commissioners' Authority

Text: The first statute authorizing the use of Commissioners in the Superior Court was adopted in 1968. [8] Initially, those Commissioners only had authority to issue warrants and fix bail. [9] The scope of responsibilities assigned to Superior Court Commissioners has been significantly expanded. In 1994, the Delaware General Assembly adopted title 10, section 512 of the Delaware Code, which now sets forth the jurisdiction and powers of Commissioners of the Superior Court. The purpose of the 1994 statute is to allow the Commissioners to assist the Superior Court judges by addressing many  pretrial matters in criminal and civil cases, thereby allowing the judges more time to try cases. [10] Section 512(a) [11] generally confers authority upon Commissioners over specific nonadjudicatory matters, while section 512(b) [12] confers authority upon the President Judge of the Superior Court to designate Commissioners to perform limited adjudicatory functions that are all subject to later review by a judge. The only adjudicatory power conferred upon Superior Court Commissioners under section 512(a) is the power to sentence a defendant following the acceptance of a guilty plea to a misdemeanor or violation. That authority to sentence following a guilty plea, however, is specifically limited to cases in which both parties consent.