Sussex County, DE Public Records

Courts in Sussex County

Court Records in Sussex County, Delaware

Sussex County has a multi-tier court structure, which includes the Superior Court, Court of Chancery, Court of Common Pleas, Family Court, Justice of the Peace Courts, and Alderman's Courts, each with a different jurisdiction. Major civil and criminal cases, excluding equity matters, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery, are tried in the Superior Court.

The Court of Common Pleas primarily presides over misdemeanors and preliminary felony hearings, while the Family Court attends to cases related to divorce, child custody, and juvenile delinquency. Minor civil and misdemeanor cases fall within the jurisdiction of the Justice of the Peace Courts, and Alderman's Courts handle cases related to traffic and minor offenses arising within the city limits. Most non-confidential court records are publicly available.

Public records may be available through Delaware's Public Records portal or by visiting the courthouse in person, However, Some court records are withheld from the public to safeguard sensitive areas such as juvenile cases, protect ongoing legal investigations, or maintain the privacy of family law cases. Individuals can also do background checks via the Department of Justice's database. In addition, case numbers and personal information, such as the defendant's birthdate, may be used to conduct a search through the records.

Jails and Prisons in Sussex County

Find Inmate Search and Jail Records in Sussex County, Delaware

In Sussex County, Delaware, there is a local detention center, the Sussex Correctional Institution, where most inmates are held. To find inmate records, you can access information either physically by visiting the jail facility or online through the Delaware Department of Corrections inmate search tool through the VINE. These records can provide details about current and former inmates, including booking information, charges, court dates, and release statuses.

To search for an inmate, you can use the inmate tool on the Delaware Department of Corrections website by name or ID. Inmate records usually comprise the full name of the inmate, date booked, offenses, dates of sentencing, and projected dates of release. If the inmate is a state or federal prisoner in one of the prisons in Sussex County, you can look up his or her record through the respective state or federal database.

Police Departments and Sheriff Offices in Sussex County

Arrest Records in Sussex County, Delaware

Arrest records are maintained by various law enforcement agencies, primarily the Sussex County Sheriff's Office and local police departments within the county, such as the Rehoboth Beach Police Department, Lewes Police Department, Milton Police Department, Beckley Police Department, Fayetteville Police Department, and the Georgetown Police Department. These records provide important information about an arrest, including the name of the arrested individual, the charges filed, the arresting officer's name, and the date and location of the arrest. Each police department may have its procedures for documenting and releasing arrest records.

Sussex County arrest records are available at the counter and online. Applicants may visit the office of the respective police department for their needs. Note that some arrest records may not be made available instantly if they are still part of an ongoing investigation or if they involve sensitive cases, such as juvenile arrests and sealed records. For that matter, the involved law enforcement agency will give you an idea of when the information you're requesting will be released.