Delaware Judiciary Extends Judicial Emergency, Delaware Courts Remain In Phase 2

On December 30, 2020, the Delaware Supreme Court extended the current judicial emergency for an additional 30 days, effective January 4, 2021.  The Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court issued Administrative Order No. 15 memorializing the same.

Previously, on October 5, 2020, the Delaware Courts had moved to a modified Phase 3 of the Delaware Judiciary's four-phase reopening plan that was released in May by the Courts Reopening Committee.  The move to a modified Phase 3 allowed court facilities and staffing to increase up to 75 percent capacity and increase the number of people allowed in courtrooms to accommodate jury trials.

On November 16, 2020, citing the deterioration of COVID-19 conditions in the State, the Chief Justice had ordered the courts to postpone jury trials and transition back to Phase 2 of the Reopening Plan, as memorialized in Administrative Order No. 13.