The Delaware State Courts will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2024 for Thanksgiving. 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 – 12AM (no new cases after 11:00PM).

About Us


The Honorable Andrea L. Rocanelli, Judge


Judge Andrea L. Rocanelli

The Honorable Andrea L. Rocanelli was appointed to the Superior Court of the State of Delaware by Governor Jack A. Markell on June 5, 2013. Previously, Judge Rocanelli served as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas by appointment of Governor Markell on April 21, 2009.

 

Judge Rocanelli is the presiding judge of the Unified Mental Health Court for Superior Court and the Court of Common Pleas in New Castle County. In 2017, Judge Rocanelli participated in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training in de-escalation techniques and mental health crisis management for first-responders. In 2013, Judge Rocanelli was recognized with the Judicial Partnership Award by the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, awarded to a leader who advanced the causes of individuals challenged with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. In 2010, Judge Rocanelli was recognized by the Delaware Bar Association with the Women's Leadership Award, awarded to a member of the Delaware Bar whose character, strength, personality, achievement and activities in matters affecting women lawyers have served as an inspiration to and a model for women lawyers in their professional careers. In August 2009, she was recognized by the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs with an award for her outstanding contribution to the bench, bar and public through efforts to maintain the integrity of the legal professions and improve the quality of life for lawyers.

By appointment of the Delaware Supreme Court, Judge Rocanelli has served as a member of various commissions and committees, including the Permanent Advisory Committee of the Delaware Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct, Delaware Commission on Continuing Education and the Permanent Advisory Committee on the Delaware Uniform Rules of Evidence. Judge Rocanelli is the judiciary's representative to the State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision. She has served on committees of the Delaware State Bar Association, including the DSBA Committee on Access to Justice in CCP Consumer Debt Collection Actions and the DSBA Committee on Diversity. Also in CCP, Judge Rocanelli led the initiative for a combination of direct service programs and policy reform initiatives, including expansion of intervention services for female sex workers in New Castle County. Judge Rocanelli is a member of the Rodney Inn of Court, serving on the Executive Committee for a number of years and serving as President from 2013 - 2015.

In the Court of Common Pleas, Judge Rocanelli was responsible for the Court's Drug Diversion Program in New Castle County and was a founding member of the Delaware coalition involving community health and law enforcement to identify alternative approaches to addressing prostitution in the community. Judge Rocanelli was appointed as a Commissioner of SENTAC as a representative of the Court of Common Pleas.

Judge Rocanelli received her J.D. from Harvard Law School, and her B.A., summa cum laude, from Boston College. After several years of private practice in Boston, Judge Rocanelli practiced law in Delaware with the firm of Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell. Judge Rocanelli served as Chief Counsel of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel for the Delaware Supreme Court, with responsibility for the practice of law and legal ethics in the state of Delaware.

 

Judge Rocanelli's present term ends June 5, 2025.