Overview

• Delaware’s Judiciary is primarily a state funded court system.  Delaware’s total General Fund budget increased from $87.0 million in FY11 to $91.3 million in FY12, a 4.9% increase. Almost all of that increase was associated with personnel cost increases.
• To reduce spending, Delaware has delayed filling vacancies in the clerks’ offices and in judicial support positions.  A hiring freeze/review process has been in effect since February, 2008.  This has resulted in a reduction in the level of service in a variety o areas, including data entry, record maintenance and archiving.
• Ongoing technology initiatives to increase productivity include e-filing, an electronic document management system, e-citation, e-payment of fees and fines and videoconferencing of hearings.
• Ongoing initiatives to increase efficiency include centralization of processes and increased use of subordinate judicial officers.
• Delaware’s courts are in a worse position than a year ago on their ability to provide access and timely justice to their citizens because demands have continued to grow but additional resources have not been received.

Reports and Articles

Gavel to Gavel

• Database. Search the Gavel to Gavel legislation database based on state, year, legislation category, or any combination.