Delaware § 4509 - Jurisdiction.

§ 4509. Jurisdiction.

(a) Justices of the peace shall have original jurisdiction to hear, try and finally determine alleged violations of this chapter. Upon a finding of guilt, such justice of the peace may impose such penalties or combination of penalties as are permitted by this chapter. Upon application of the State or defendant, in accordance with the rules of the applicable court, the matter may be removed to the Court of Common Pleas for determination. All other rules of the courts of Delaware shall apply. The justice of the peace may require any or all defendants to post a bond in an amount sufficient to guarantee payment of all potential fines and costs which may be required to be paid should a judgment of guilt be determined as to each such defendant or which shall be forfeit in the event the defendant fails to appear for a scheduled Court appearance. In the event, a bond shall be posted in an amount sufficient to cover the minimum potential fine and costs which may be imposed, upon the adjudication of guilt.

(1) Any such bond shall be made payable to the court upon demand in the event the defendant fails to appear for a scheduled court appearance or upon default on the judgment against the defendant.

(2) Upon forfeiture of the bond to the court such bond shall be made payable to the State upon expiration of the appropriate appeal period.

(3) Upon adjudication of guilt and payment of such fines and costs as may be imposed by the court or upon a finding of not guilty and expiration of the appropriate appeal period, such bond shall be returned to the defendant(s).

(b) In the event either party applies to have the matter removed to the Court of Common Pleas, as provided herein, any bond imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be reissued in the name of the appropriate court. All other provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall apply.

(c) In the event either party appeals, such bond(s) issued pursuant to this section shall remain in full force and effect until such time as the matter has finally been resolved.

36 Del. Laws, c. 10, §  120;  Code 1935, §  5658;  46 Del. Laws, c. 124;  21 Del. C. 1953, §  4505;  58 Del. Laws, c. 550;  60 Del. Laws, c. 503, §  24;  60 Del. Laws, c. 700, §  9;  60 Del. Laws, c. 701, §  64;  64 Del. Laws, c. 207, §  5;