Judicial Officers
There are nine Judges of the Court of Common Pleas statewide. Five Judges are residents of New Castle County, two Judges are residents of Kent County, and two Judges are residents of Sussex County. Each Judge is nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate for a term of 12 years. To be nominated for the position, each Judge must have been actively engaged in the general practice of law in the State of Delaware for at least five years and must be a citizen of the State. A majority of not more than one Judge may be from the same political party. The same process is used to appoint the Chief Judge.
The Court has three Commissioners; one Commissioner is assigned to each county. The Commissioners have the power to accept pleas and preside over a wide range of court proceedings.
Court of Common Pleas Judges:
Left to right back row: Judge Rae M. Mims, Judge Robert H. Surles, Judge Anne E. Hartnett, Judge Carl C. Danberg, Judge Kenneth S. Clark Jr., Judge Bradley V. Manning
Court of Common Pleas Commissioners:
