CHAPTER 256
FORMERLY
SENATE BILL NO. 197
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend Chapter 5, Title 11 of the Delaware Code by adding a new Section 607 to read as follows:
"§607. Strangulation; penalty; affirmative defense.
(a) (1) A person commits the offense of strangulation if the person knowingly or intentionally impedes the breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, Strangulation is a Class E felony.
(3) Strangulation is a Class D felony if:
a. The person used or attempted to use a dangerous instrument or a deadly weapon while committing the offense; or
b. The person caused serious physical injury to the other person while committing the offense; or
c. The person has been previously convicted of strangulation.
(b) It is an affirmative defense that an act constituting strangulation was the result of a legitimate medical procedure."