Criminal records in New Castle County, Delaware, are available through several channels — online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the court clerk's office. NewCastleCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, you can use the Delaware state courts portal, the DELJIS database, and contact the Prothonotary office of the Superior Court or Court of Common Pleas in New Castle County directly.
How to Search Criminal Records in New Castle
There are several ways to find criminal records. Here are step-by-step instructions for each of them.
Online Search
- NewCastleCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to find publicly available court information on criminal cases in the county.
- Delaware Court Connect (CourtConnect) — the official database of Delaware state courts. Searches can be conducted by person name, company name, or case type. The system allows generating a Docket Report with case details.
- Civil Case Search on Delaware Courts Website — Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Court provide 24/7 access to case information.
- New Castle County Crime Information Page — includes links to the wanted persons database and Delaware sex offender registry.
- DELJIS (Delaware Criminal Justice Information System) — check for active arrest warrants or capias.
To start your search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth
- Case number
In-Person Visit
You can visit the Prothonotary office at the Superior Court in Wilmington. The Court of Common Pleas also handles criminal cases — particularly misdemeanors — and has an office in New Castle County. Public access terminals are available in the courthouse.
Written Request
A request for a criminal history can be sent by mail to the Prothonotary office of the relevant court. To obtain a certified state criminal history, contact the Delaware State Police — the check is conducted through fingerprinting. You can also submit a FOIA request to the city of New Castle for certain public records.
Search New Castle Criminal Cases by Case Number
Delaware courts use a standardized format for case numbers. A typical structure looks like this:
- Court Prefix — indicates the level of court (e.g., "IN" for Superior Court criminal cases, "1*" for Court of Common Pleas)
- Year — two-digit year of case filing
- Sequential Number — unique sequential number within that year
For example, a case might have a number like IN24-01-1234, where "IN" denotes the criminal jurisdiction of the Superior Court, "24" is the year, and the rest is a sequential identifier. If you know the case number, enter it in CourtConnect for instant access to the docket report, including hearing dates, status, and outcomes.
Note: The format may slightly vary between Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Court. If you are unsure of the correct format, check with the clerk's office of the respective court.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in New Castle
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific article of the Delaware Code (e.g., Title 11) |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Violation |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during proceedings |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, awaiting consideration
- Active — proceedings are actively ongoing
- Disposed — the case has been resolved (verdict issued, closed, or dismissed)
- Closed — all procedural actions are completed
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — initial presentation of charges; the defendant enters a plea
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss procedural issues before trial
- Trial — substantive consideration of the case
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea
- Review Hearing — review of compliance with sentencing conditions (e.g., probation)
Court Trial Results
- Guilty — found guilty
- Not Guilty — found not guilty
- Dismissed — case closed without a substantive decision
- Nolle Prosequi — the prosecutor declined to prosecute
- Acquitted — acquitted following trial
According to Chapter 100, Title 29 of the Delaware Code, some criminal records and files are closed to public access. Records related to juveniles or cases that have been expunged are generally inaccessible.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in New Castle
Certified copies of criminal records can be obtained through various agencies depending on the type of document.
Court Records
Contact the Prothonotary office of the Superior Court in Wilmington or the Court of Common Pleas clerk's office. Requests can be made in person or by mail. You will need:
- Full name of the defendant
- Case number (if known)
- Applicant's identification document (driver's license or State ID)
Certified State Criminal History
To obtain an official criminal history check (background check), contact the Delaware State Police. The procedure requires fingerprinting and photo identification.
Prothonotary, Superior Court — New Castle County
Court of Common Pleas — New Castle County
Delaware State Police — SBI (State Bureau of Identification)
For individuals needing legal assistance, the Office of Defense Services provides free services to low-income clients, including in New Castle County.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in New Castle
The amount of fees depends on the type of request and the agency processing it.
| Service | Approximate Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $0.10 – $1.00 | Usually the same day for in-person requests |
| Document certification | $10.00 – $20.00 per document | 1–5 business days |
| Certified criminal history (Delaware State Police, via fingerprints) | $52.00 – $75.00 | 10 to 30 business days |
| FOIA request | Copying fees may apply | Up to 15 business days (with possible extension) |
Specific fee amounts are set according to each court's rules and may change. Check current rates directly with the court clerk's office or on the Delaware Courts website. When submitting a mail request, a check or money order is usually required — personal checks are not always accepted.
The APEX program from the Delaware Department of Labor helps individuals with a criminal past undergo the expungement process, which seals the record from appearing in a state background check.