Delaware General Assembly

House Judiciary 6/6/24

The General Assembly has ended, the current status is the final status.

6/6/24

Romer

Rep. Bush
Sen. Pinkney

Rep. Lynn

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 10 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO APPEALS OF SUPERIOR COURT DENIALS OF REVERSE AMENABILITY ORDERS.

Currently, if a child files an application in Superior Court to have their criminal case transferred to Family Court and the Superior Court denies the application, there is no recourse for appeal until the child’s criminal case is finally adjudicated in Superior Court. In State v. Roberts, Del.Supr. 282 A.2nd 603 (1971) the Delaware Supreme Court stated its jurisdiction, over such appeals by an accused, may only be by operation of law. This Act permits the child to enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere and appeal an amenability denial to the Delaware Supreme Court within 30 days of being sentenced by the Superior Court. This Act also prohibits any plea being conditioned on waiving this right of appeal. This Act also clarifies that the Superior Court will not retain jurisdiction over the child if the Supreme Court reverses the Superior Court’s Order.

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Takes effect upon being signed into law

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