Bill > HB122

This bill amends Delaware's Family Court jurisdiction by making several key changes. First, it removes the previous requirement that both parties in a family-related case must be residents of Delaware, broadening the definition of "family" to include various blood and marriage-related relationships without geographic restrictions. Second, the bill establishes concurrent criminal jurisdiction between the Family Court and the Court of Common Pleas in two specific scenarios: when criminal offenses involve persons living apart with a child in common and the child's parentage is disputed, and when non-felony adult criminal cases include charges that could fall under both courts' jurisdictions. These changes effectively expand the Family Court's ability to handle certain criminal cases that previously might have been limited by residency requirements or jurisdictional boundaries, potentially making the legal process more accessible and flexible for families involved in legal disputes. The modifications aim to provide clearer guidelines for handling family-related criminal matters and ensure that appropriate courts can address these sensitive cases more efficiently.

Justice

https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=142137