The Delaware State Courts will be closed on Tuesday, November 5th for Election Day. Justice of the Peace Court 11 (New Castle County) and Court 7 (Kent County) will remain open 24 hours and Justice of the Peace Court 3 (Sussex County) will be open from 6AM – 12PM (no new cases after 11:00PM).

Sussex County Courts including Justice of the Peace Court 2, 4, and 17 will be closing at noon on Thursday, November 7th for Return Day. JP Court 14 will be closed the entire day due to proximity to Return Day events.

Court Proceedings in the Justice of the Peace Court

Civil
Filing or Defending a Civil Action	Starting an Action: Learn how to start an action in the Justice of the Peace Court to collect a debt, recover items of property, obtain compensation for property damage, or obtain possession of a rental unit. How to Start a Civil Action in the Justice of the Peace Court
	Responding to an Action: When you receive the complaint, you will also receive a summons which will direct you as to the next step which you need to take to avoid a default judgment. How to Respond to a Civil Action in the Justice of the Peace Court
	Preparing for Trial: Learn tips on how to prepare for trial Preparing for Trial in the Justice of the Peace Court
	What to expect at Trial: Learn what to expect at your court hearing. What to Expect at Trial in the Justice of the Peace Court
	Landlord/Tenant: Learn how to file or defend a Landlord/Tenant (Summary Possession Action) to obtain or keep possession of a rental unit. How to File and Defend a Summary Possession Action in the Justice of the Peace Court
Judgments	Default judgment: A default judgment may be entered when no answer is received by the Court from the Defendant within the proper time period or when the Defendant fails to appear as required. Obtaining a Default Judgment in the Justice of the Peace Court
Judgments	Non-suit judgment: A non-suit judgment occurs when a plaintiff, after proper notice, fails to appear at the designated trial date and time. Justice of the Peace Court Non-Suit Judgments
Collecting a Judgment	After the judgment has been paid: The plaintiff must notify court when the judgment has been paid. Collecting and/or reviving a judgment: Learn how to collect and/or revive a judgment. Transferring/disputing the transfer of a judgment: Learn how to transfer or dispute the transfer of a judgment from another state. How to Collect and/or Revive a Judgment in the Justice of the Peace Court
Collecting a Judgment	How to calculate post judgment interest. Interest Rates
Post-Judgment Procedures	Learn more about post judgment procedures such as motions to vacate a judgment or appeals. Civil Post-Judgment Procedures in the Justice of the Peace Court

Traffic
Traffic Tickets	Learn about your options if you have received a traffic ticket. Traffic Frequently Asked Questions, Justice of the Peace Court

Criminal
Crime Victim Information	Information for persons who have been victims of crime. Crime Victim Information
Offense and Defendant Information	Information for those accused of an offense in the Justice of the Peace Court. Information for Defendants in the Justice of the Peace Courts
Probation before Judgment	Probation before judgment (PBJ) provides a means for a first offender to avoid having a conviction entered against him or her. Probation Before Judgment in the Justice of the Peace Court Questions and Answers
Videophone System	The videophone allows the police, courts, and other participating agencies to conduct business without physically traveling among their offices. Justice of the Peace Court Videophone System

References
Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary of Legal Terms

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