Search Delaware DUI Records

Delaware DUI records are held by the state court system, the Division of Motor Vehicles, and the Delaware State Police. You can look up a DUI case by party name, case number, or police report number through the statewide CourtConnect portal. The Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Courts all file DUI records that roll up into the statewide index. For a certified copy or an older case, you may need to visit the courthouse. Delaware DUI records also show up on your driving history at the DMV for at least five years after the sentence.

How to Search Delaware DUI Records

The fastest way to look up a DUI case is through CourtConnect. Free registration is required. Once you accept the terms of use you can search by party name, business name, case number, or police report number. The system pulls docket entries, case statuses, hearings, party info, and sentencing data from Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Justice of the Peace Courts.

CourtConnect does not show every file. Older cases, juvenile matters, expunged records, sealed files, and some case types are not online. Those items still live in the case folder at the courthouse where the case was filed. The Administrative Office of the Courts keeps the statewide case management system running and sets the rules on what the public can view. If a record does not show up in CourtConnect, a trip to the clerk in the filing county is the next step.

To run a useful search you want:

• Full name of the defendant
• Case number or police report number if known
• Approximate date of arrest or filing
• County where the offense took place
• Valid photo ID for in-person requests

Clerks at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center, the Kent County Courthouse, and the Sussex County Courthouse keep public access terminals for free database searches. They cannot run a search for you, but staff can help you figure out which terminal to use and which form to file. See the Superior Court locations page for addresses and hours.

The image below shows the Superior Court locations page from the state court website. It lists the public counter address, phone, and hours for each Delaware DUI case courthouse. Click through to confirm details before a visit since hours can shift around holidays.

Each Superior Court handles third offense and higher felony DUI cases. First and second offenses usually end up at Court of Common Pleas.

Delaware DUI Law Overview

DUI offenses in Delaware are set out in 21 Del. C. § 4177. The statute names six ways a driver can break the law. A person can be charged if they drive under the influence of alcohol, under the influence of any drug, under the influence of both, with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more, with a .08 BAC within four hours after driving, or with any amount of an illicit or recreational drug in the blood within four hours of driving. The bar is low, and every piece of that list shows up in DUI records filed at the courts.

BAC thresholds drive the sentencing range. A .08 reading is per se evidence of DUI. A BAC of .15 or more, or .20 or more, triggers enhanced penalties. Section 4177(c)(5) defines "while under the influence" as being less able, due to drugs or alcohol, to use clear judgment, keep physical control, or drive with due care. These standards apply whether the stop happened on I-95, U.S. 13, Coastal Highway, or a rural road in Kent County.

First offense DUI carries fines of $500 to $1,500 with up to 12 months in jail. A second offense within 10 years runs 60 days to 18 months of prison. A third offense becomes a Class G felony at one to two years, with the first three months mandatory. A fourth offense jumps to a Class E felony at two to five years, with the first six months mandatory. Fifth, sixth, and seventh offenses push sentences up to 15 years.

Section 4177(e) tells the court to bar the driver from operating any vehicle unless it has a working ignition interlock device, with terms laid out in §§ 4177C and 4177G. The court also has to order an alcohol and drug evaluation and a program of education or rehab under § 4177D. Inpatient treatment can run up to 15 months total. Under § 4177L, drivers under 21 face a zero tolerance rule at .02 BAC.

The image below is the cover of the Delaware Code Title 21 Subchapter IX page hosted by the state. It lists each DUI statute with links to the full text. The Delaware Code DUI subchapter is the best starting point for the legal text behind any Delaware DUI record.

Every DUI case file in Delaware cites one or more of these code sections as the charged offense.

Delaware Court System for DUI Records

Three courts share work on DUI records in Delaware. Superior Court handles felony DUI at third offense and above. Court of Common Pleas handles first and second offense DUI. Justice of the Peace Courts handle bail, arraignments, and first offender elections.

The Administrative Office of the Courts oversees all three levels. The AOC publishes forms, runs CourtConnect, and sets public access rules. If you want a state court form for a record request, go to the Delaware Court Forms page. Superior Court uses Form ADM_ADM_03_A for record access. Justice of the Peace Courts use Form MISC35.

Justice of the Peace Courts are open 24 hours a day for bail hearings after DUI arrests. They have jurisdiction to accept pleas and impose sentences for DUI offenses that do not trigger enhanced felony penalties under § 4177(d)(3) through (d)(9). They can also enter conditional adjudications for first offender elections. They do not hold DUI trials. A case that needs a trial moves to the Court of Common Pleas or Superior Court.

Typical Justice of the Peace Court hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but the bail window is always open. In FY 2020, Justice of the Peace Courts in Delaware received 353,644 criminal, civil, and traffic filings from plaintiffs and 223,846 from defendants, which gives you a sense of the volume passing through the system each year.

Here is the Administrative Office of the Courts home page with quick links to case search, forms, and court rules. The AOC site is where you find public notices, judicial reports, and contact info for each court office.

Use the AOC page to locate the right court before you file a record request.

Delaware State Police and DUI Enforcement

The Delaware State Police handle the bulk of DUI enforcement on state and interstate roads. DSP troops split coverage by region. Troop 1 works the Wilmington area. Troop 2 covers northern New Castle County and Delaware City. Troop 3 works Dover and Kent County. Troop 5 patrols the Milford and Seaford corridor. Troop 6 covers Newark. Troop 7 runs Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Troop 9 focuses on Middletown and southern New Castle County.

DSP press releases on the DSP newsroom document DUI arrests with names, charges, bail amounts, and court assignments. In 2022, the agency handled 717 standard DUI cases, 146 DUI-DRE cases, 28 DUI-Fatal cases, and 5 DUI-Fatal cases with DRE involvement, for 896 total DUI matters. Delaware has 63 Drug Recognition Experts across 20 police agencies, which lets officers detect drug impairment that a breath test would miss.

DSP also runs multi-agency DUI checkpoints with the Office of Highway Safety. A September 26, 2025 checkpoint in New Castle County screened 228 vehicles, made 5 DUI arrests, and produced 12 other traffic arrests. A November 26, 2025 Thanksgiving checkpoint screened 308 vehicles, made 5 DUI arrests, and added 19 traffic arrests. Common checkpoint sites include Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington, U.S. 13 in Smyrna, and Route 1 in Rehoboth Beach.

If you are a victim of or witness to an impaired driving crash, the DSP Victim Services Unit is available 24/7 at 1-800-VICTIM-1 or at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov. Anonymous tips about impaired drivers can go to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.

The image below is from the Delaware State Police site. Use the Delaware State Police home page to reach the newsroom, troop pages, and the records request portal.

DSP posts DUI arrest releases almost daily, and those releases show which court handled the initial appearance.

DMV Administrative Procedures for Delaware DUI Records

A DUI arrest in Delaware sets two tracks in motion. The criminal case goes to court. The civil license case goes to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles. Police take the license at arrest and issue a temporary 15-day permit. The driver then has 15 days to request an administrative hearing in writing by mail, fax, or in person at a DMV office.

The hearing is not about guilt. The officer must show three things. First, probable cause for the stop. Second, preponderance of evidence that the driver was under the influence. A chemical test of .08 or more, or any drug reading, is conclusive. Third, whether the driver refused a chemical test after a proper warning. Based on the outcome, the DMV issues an administrative license revocation under 21 Del. C. § 4177A.

Revocation periods:

• First offense: 3 months
• Second offense: 12 months
• Third or more: 18 months
• First refusal of chemical test: 12 months
• Second refusal: 18 months
• Third or more refusals: 24 months

All DUI sentences stay on the driving record for a minimum of five years. No license is reinstated until the driver finishes the required alcohol program under § 4177D, pays all fees, and shows good behavior during the revocation period. Out-of-state DUI convictions also trigger Delaware revocation. The DMV offers a First Offender Election program with a one year suspension, a $250 fine, DUI course completion, and an ignition interlock device when driving resumes. DMV offices are located in Wilmington at (302) 434-3200, Delaware City at (302) 326-5000, Dover at (302) 744-2500, and Georgetown at (302) 853-1000.

The DMV DUI FAQ page below spells out the hearing request process, revocation timeline, and reinstatement checklist for any Delaware DUI records case.

Read the FAQ before the 15-day hearing window closes, since a missed deadline means losing the chance to challenge the revocation.

DUI Record Types in Delaware

Delaware DUI records come in several forms. The court file has the charging document, the arrest report, the chemical test result, the docket, any pretrial motions, and the final sentencing order. The driving record at the DMV has the revocation history, any ignition interlock data, and the reinstatement date. The DSP arrest report has narrative details and officer observations.

A DUI case file can include:

• Police arrest report and probable cause affidavit
• Chemical test result and forensic toxicologist certificate
• Charging document citing 21 Del. C. § 4177
• Bail and release conditions
• Plea or trial disposition
• Sentencing order with IID and treatment terms
• Fine and fee ledger

Under § 4177(h) chemical test reports signed by certified forensic toxicologists stand as prima facie evidence at trial. The defense can still demand live testimony, but only if the request is filed at least 15 days before the trial date. Under § 2746, only a licensed doctor, registered nurse, LPN, or other trained healthcare worker can draw blood for a DUI test. Those certifications sit right inside the DUI records for any case involving a blood draw.

Some items inside a DUI record can be restricted. Juvenile records are not public. Expunged records are removed from CourtConnect. Sealed records need a court order before release. If a DUI defendant also had a mental health screen or a substance use evaluation, those results often stay confidential under federal rules on substance use treatment records.

Getting a Certified Criminal History for Delaware DUI Records

The Delaware State Bureau of Identification issues the state's certified criminal history report. SBI is a division of the Delaware State Police. Reports pull from the DELJIS database and cover felony and misdemeanor convictions, arrest records, and pending cases tied to your fingerprints. A DUI conviction shows up on the SBI report as part of the driver's criminal record.

SBI fingerprinting is required. Bring a photo ID. A Delaware license is not required, so a school ID, passport, or out-of-state license works. The Dover SBI location is at the Blue Hen Corporate Center, 655 S. Bay Road, Suite 1B, Dover, DE 19901. Phone is (302) 739-2528. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. with a lunch break, and Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Fees are $52.50 for a state check and $69.00 for a combined state and federal check. Payment can be cash, credit or debit card, bank check, money order, or company check made out to Delaware State Police. Personal checks are not accepted. See the SBI fingerprinting page for a full list of statewide locations.

The SBI page shown below lists every fingerprinting site in Delaware along with hours, fees, and ID requirements. Plan the appointment in advance since walk-ins are limited.

SBI reports are the standard proof of criminal history for any Delaware DUI records review.

Are Delaware DUI Records Public

Yes. Delaware court records are open under the Delaware Freedom of Information Act. Anyone can request access to open court records at a Justice of the Peace Court, the Court of Common Pleas, or Superior Court without giving a reason. Court proceedings are also open to the public unless a judge seals them for cause.

Some DUI records are not available. Juvenile cases, adoption files, guardianship files, mental health records, expunged matters, and sealed files stay out of public view. CourtConnect redacts personal identifiers like Social Security numbers and account numbers. A driver can file a motion under the expungement statute to clear a qualifying DUI from public access. Once granted, the record disappears from CourtConnect.

For certified copies, the public counter at each courthouse charges a per page fee plus a certification charge. The Sussex County Prothonotary's Office charges $10 for a record search plus $1 per page. Mail requests are accepted with payment by check or money order. In-person requests at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center, the Kent County Courthouse, or the Sussex County Courthouse are typically handled the same day.

Office of Highway Safety and Delaware DUI Prevention

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety runs statewide campaigns on impaired driving. OHS funds DUI team enforcement, buys checkpoints, and promotes messages like "If you feel different, you drive different" and "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over." Labor Day, Thanksgiving Eve, and the Fourth of July all draw extra enforcement.

OHS estimates that a DUI costs $10,000 or more once attorney fees, court costs, fines, vehicle towing, repairs, missed work, and higher insurance premiums are added up. The arrivealivede.com site breaks down average costs like $6,300 in fines and attorney fees, $400 to $900 for alcohol counseling, and about $480 for ignition interlock installation. Sober Rides, an OHS program, provides $20 Lyft and Uber vouchers on key nights. A recent Thanksgiving Eve push funded 162 rides.

Between 2020 and 2024, Delaware logged 99 impaired driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period alone. Over 4,000 DUI arrests are made statewide each year. Over 213 of those arrests come from Checkpoint Strikeforce campaigns. The Delaware state news portal carries official releases on these enforcement results and on individual DUI prosecutions.

The Office of Highway Safety homepage below collects impaired driving data, Sober Rides dates, and press releases on checkpoint results. The site is the best source for current DUI campaign schedules.

OHS publishes DUI statistics that feed into court filings and DSP arrest reports across the state.

The state runs a driver improvement and DUI program page at the DMV. Delaware driver improvement covers DSARP evaluation, DUI course enrollment, and the IID Diversion option.

DSARP evaluation costs $150, the DUI education class costs $400, and referrals stay valid for one year. Get the full schedule before the reinstatement deadline.

The Delaware Court Forms page below is the central archive for court-issued forms used in DUI record requests, expungements, and first offender petitions.

Download the right form before arriving at the clerk's counter to avoid a wasted trip.

The Delaware state news portal hosts official press releases on DUI arrests, checkpoint results, and Department of Justice prosecutions. The Attorney General's office releases statements on felony DUI convictions through this portal.

The news portal shows the court assignment for recent DUI cases, which helps narrow a CourtConnect search.

License actions tied to Delaware DUI records go through the Division of Motor Vehicles. The DMV home page links out to driver services, the DUI FAQ, and online reinstatement payment.

Reinstatement for a DUI revocation involves a separate fee, usually around $143.75, paid to DMV.

Browse Delaware DUI Records by County

Each of Delaware's three counties files DUI cases at its own Superior Court and Court of Common Pleas. Pick a county below for local court info, police contacts, and record request steps.

View All Delaware Counties

Delaware DUI Records in Major Cities

City police file DUI arrest reports that feed into the county court record. Pick a city below for local police records info and the court that handles DUI cases from that city.

View Major Delaware Cities