AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POSSESSING A DESTRUCTIVE WEAPON.

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

HB414: Clarifying Which Court Handles Destructive Weapon Cases

This bill changes Delaware law so that only adults charged with possessing a destructive weapon go to Superior Court, while minors stay in Family Court.

What This Bill Does

• Amends Title 11 of the Delaware Code regarding the possession of destructive weapons.
• Limits exclusive jurisdiction over these offenses to adult defendants in the Superior Court.
• Keeps cases involving minor defendants under the authority of the Family Court.

Who It Names or Affects

• Adults charged with possessing a destructive weapon in Delaware
• Minors (people under age 18) charged with possessing a destructive weapon in Delaware

Terms To Know

Exclusive jurisdiction

Only one specific court has the legal power to hear and decide a case.

Destructive weapon

A type of dangerous item defined in Delaware law under Section 1444.

Limits and Unknowns

• The official material does not state the exact date this change will take effect.
• The source material references existing code sections but does not list specific items that count as a destructive weapon.

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POSSESSING A DESTRUCTIVE WEAPON.
This Act clarifies that the grant of exclusive jurisdiction to the Superior Court over violations of 11 Del C. § 1444 (possessing a destructive weapon), applies only to an adult defendant. Jurisdiction over minors remains with the Family Court.

Current Bill Text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Romer & Sen. Pinkney

Reps. Phillips, Lambert, Harris

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 414

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO POSSESSING A DESTRUCTIVE WEAPON.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 1444, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1444. Possessing a destructive weapon; class E felony.

(d) The Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over

offenses

an offense

under this

section.

section committed by an adult.

SYNOPSIS

This Act clarifies that the grant of exclusive jurisdiction to the Superior Court over violations of 11 Del C. § 1444 (possessing a destructive weapon), applies only to an adult defendant. Jurisdiction over minors remains with the Family Court.