Criminal records of Sussex County, Delaware, are available through several channels. SussexCourt.us allows for quick access to public information on criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through official state court portals, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office in Georgetown.
How to Search Criminal Records in Sussex
Start your search with SussexCourt.us — enter the person's name or case number to view publicly available information on criminal proceedings.
Online Search through Official Portals
- Delaware Court Connect — the main database of state court cases. Search by the person's name, organization name, or case number. The system displays data from the Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Court.
- DELJIS — Delaware Criminal Justice Information System — here you can check if there is an active warrant or capias (court order for arrest) for a person. Also available is a wanted status check through Delaware State Police.
- Inmate Locator — search for inmates in the Delaware Department of Correction system, including the Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown.
- Delaware State Police Arrest Archive — public press releases on recent arrests across the state.
To search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full first and last name of the person
- Case number
- Date of birth (if available — narrows results)
In-Person Visit
You can visit the courthouse in Georgetown and use public access terminals. Criminal cases are heard in the Superior Court of Sussex County.
The Court of Common Pleas handles less serious criminal cases (misdemeanors). Phone: (302) 858-5700.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the Prothonotary office of the Superior Court or to the State Bureau of Identification at Delaware State Police to obtain a certified criminal history. Include the person's full name, date of birth, and reason for the request.
Search Sussex Criminal Cases by Case Number
Criminal case numbers in Delaware follow a standard format. A typical number looks like this:
- Court Prefix — indicates the level of court (e.g., "S" for Superior Court).
- Year — two digits indicating the year the case was filed.
- Case Type — a letter code indicating the criminal nature (e.g., "CR" for criminal).
- Sequential Number — a unique numeric identifier for the case within that court and year.
If you have the full case number, enter it into the CourtConnect search system — this is the fastest way to obtain data. Without the number, you will have to search by name, which may return multiple results, especially with common surnames.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Sussex
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Delaware Code under which the charge is filed (e.g., Title 11, § 832 — Assault in the Second Degree) |
| Severity Level | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Violation. Felonies are classified from A to G, misdemeanors from A to unclassified |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend or drop individual charges during the case |
Case Status
- Pending — the case is open, no decision has been made yet
- Active — the case is in active proceedings, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed — the court has made a decision or the case is closed
- Closed — all procedures are completed, including the appeal period
Types of Hearings
- Arraignment — the first appearance of the accused in court, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case
- Pre-trial Conference — a meeting between parties before the trial
- Trial — the court hearing on the merits. The Sussex County Criminal Hearings Calendar is published on the Delaware courts' website
- Sentencing — the issuance of a sentence after a guilty verdict
- Review Hearing — checking compliance with the terms of the sentence (e.g., probation)
Case Results
- Guilty — found guilty
- Not Guilty — acquitted
- Dismissed — the case is closed without a decision on the merits
- Nolle Prosequi — the prosecutor declined to pursue charges
- Acquitted — full acquittal after a trial on the merits
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Sussex
Certified criminal history in Delaware is issued not by the county court, but by the Delaware State Police through the State Bureau of Identification (SBI). This is the only official way to obtain a complete criminal background check.
How to Submit a Request
- Fingerprint-based — visit an authorized fingerprinting location. You must have photo identification. Results are mailed.
- By Mail — send a completed request form and money order to the Delaware State Police. Detailed instructions are available on the Obtaining a Certified Delaware Criminal History page.
For the request, you need:
- Valid photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport)
- Completed request form
- Payment in the form of a money order, payable to Delaware State Police
Contact Information
To obtain copies of specific court documents (not a full criminal history), contact the Prothonotary office at the Superior Court in Georgetown or use CourtConnect to view available records online.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Sussex
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Criminal History (fingerprint-based, via DSP) | $75.00 | Money order payable to Delaware State Police |
| Copy of Court Document (via Prothonotary) | Depends on the number of pages | Contact the office for current rates |
| Document Certification | Additional fee | Charged over the cost of copying |
Processing Times
- Online Search via CourtConnect — results are immediate
- Certified Criminal History (DSP) — typically 4–6 weeks for mail requests; times may vary depending on workload
- Copies of Court Documents (Prothonotary) — in-person requests are usually prepared the same day; mail requests take longer
The $75.00 fee for a certified check is set by the Delaware State Police. If you are unsure which type of record you need — a criminal history from SBI or a copy of a specific court case — call the Sussex County Sheriff's Office at (302) 856-5655 or the Prothonotary, and they will help you determine the correct route.