Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 301

FORMERLY

SENATE BILL NO. 363

AS AMENDED BY SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 27, TITLE 11, DELAWARE CODE TO GRANT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS JURISDICTION TO HEAR, TRY AND FINALLY DETERMINE ADDITIONAL MISDEMEANORS THAN THEY PRESENTLY HAVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR, TRY AND FINALLY DETERMINE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Two-thirds of all members elected to each House thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend Section 2702, Subchapter I, Chapter 27, Title 11,

Delaware Code by striking Section 2702 in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof a new section 2702 to read as follows:

"2702. Jurisdiction of Justice of the Peace Courts of offenses contained in this Criminal Code.

The Justices of the Peace shall have original jurisdiction to hear, try and finally determine the following misdemeanors, and any attempt, conspiracy or solicitation to commit the following misdemeanors:

(1) Section 501 (criminal solicitation in the third degree; Class A
misdemeanor);

(1) Section 511 (conspiracy in the third degree; Class A misdemeanor) when the conspiracy relates to a misdemeanor over which justices of the peace have jurisdiction to hear, try and finally determine;

(1) Section 531 (attempt to commit a crime; an offense which is of the same grade and degree as the most serious offense which the accused is found guilty of attempting) when the attempt relates to a misdemeanor over which justices of the peace have jurisdiction to hear, try and finally determine;

(1) Section 601 (offensive touching; unclassified misdemeanor);

(1) Section 602 (menacing; unclassified misdemeanor);

(1) Section 603 (reckless endangering in the second degree; Class A misdemeanor);

(1) Section 611 (assault in the third degree; Class A misdemeanor);

(1) Section 621 (terroristic threatening; Class A misdemeanor);

(2) Section 811 (criminal mischief) only if punishable as a
misdemeanor;

(3) Section 820 (trespassing with intent to peer or peep into a
window or door of another; Class B misdemeanor);

(1) Section 822 (criminal trespass in the second degree; unclassified misdemeanor);

(2) Section 823 (criminal trespass in the first degree; Class A
misdemeanor);

(3) Section 840 (shoplifting) only if punishable as a Class A
misdemeanor;

(1) Section 841 (theft) only if punishable as a Class A misdemeanor;

(1) Section 842 (theft; lost or mislaid property) only if punishable as a Class A misdemeanor;

(1) Section 843 (theft; false pretense) only if punishable as a Class A misdemeanor;

(1) Section 844 (theft, false promise) only if punishable as a Class A misdemeanor;

(17) Section 845 (theft of services) only if punishable as a Class A misdemeanor;

(18) Section 848 (misapplication of property) only if punishable as a Class A misdemeanor;

(19) Section 851 (receiving stolen property) only if punishable as a Class A misdemeanor;

(20) Section 853 (unauthorized use of a vehicle; Class A misdemeanor);

(21) Section 861 (forgery in the third degree; Class A misdemeanor);

(1) Section 893 (interference with levied-upon property; Class A misdemeanor);

(2) Section 900 (issuing a bad check; Class A misdemeanor);

(3) Section 903 (unlawful use of credit card) only if punishable as a Class A misdemeanor;

(4) Section 907 (criminal impersonation; Class A misdemeanor);

(5) Section 1107 (endangering children; unclassified misdemeanor);

(6) Section 1221 (perjury in the third degree; Class A misdemeanor);

(1) Section 1233 (making a false written statement; Class A misdemeanor);

(1) Section 1241 (refusing to aid a police officer; Class 8 misdemeanor);

(1) Section 1243 (obstructing fire - fighting operations; Class A
misdemeanor);

(2) Section 1244 (hindering prosecution; Class A misdemeanor);

(1) Section 1245 (falsely reporting an incident; unclassified misdemeanor);

(2) Section 1251 (escape in the third degree; Class A misdemeanor);

(3) Section 1257 (resisting arrest; Class A misdemeanor);

(1) Section 1271 (criminal contempt; Class A misdemeanor; Class 8
misdemeanor);

(2) Section 1301 (disorderly conduct; unclassified misdemeanor);

(3) Section 1311 (harassment; unclassified misdemeanor);

(4) Section 1312 (aggravated harassment; Class 8 misdemeanor);

(5) Section 1313 (malicious obstruction of emergency telephone calls; Class 8 misdemeanor);

(6) Section 1322 (criminal nuisance; unclassified misdemeanor);

(7) Section 1325 (cruelty to animals; Class A misdemeanor);

(8) Section 1331 (desecration; Class A misdemeanor);

(9) Section 1341 (lewdness; Class 8 misdemeanor);

(10) Section 1342 (prostitution; Class 8 misdemeanor);

(11) Section 1343 (patronizing a prostitute; unclassified misdemeanor);

(47) Section 1355 (permitting prostitution; Class B misdemeanor);

(48) Section 1443 (carrying a concealed dangerous instrument; Class A misdemeanor);

(1) Section 1446 (unlawfully dealing with a switchblade knife; unclassified misdemeanor)."

Section 2. This Act shall become effective with respect to all crimes which are committed thirty days after its enactment into law, or thereafter.

Approved July 7, 1994.