Search Delaware Public Records

How to Conduct Criminal Case Search in Delaware

DE local and state law enforcement handles all requests for Delaware arrest records in the state. They are processed through fingerprint data, and the requestor must provide a photo ID when requesting a copy for someone else. If they are looking for a copy for themselves and they are younger than 18, they will need to have parental permission. A state criminal record including arrests will cost $52. However, a state and federal criminal record costs $65. Someone can request copies in person and pay with cash, check, money order or credit card.

Victims & Offenders by Gender and Race

What Information Does Delaware Criminal Records Report Include?

A Delaware arrest record will show a good amount of detail like the date of arrest, arresting officer, arresting agency and booking details. It will also show the charges, the location of the crime, fingerprints, and mugshot if one was taken. If any vehicles were involved, the details about them will be on there also. Also included will be general information like name, address, phone, email, height, weight, race, age and gender.

Delaware Police Reports and Mugshots

Are Delaware Police Reports Public Record?

Yes, police reports in Delaware are public records. You can obtain a copy of a police report by visiting the Delaware State Police location nearest you. Additionally, on the State Police section of the Delaware.gov state website, they post details from police reports about recent events under their Newsroom topic. Each of these items includes:

• A mugshot if available.
• The date and time of the incident.
• The participants/offenders involved.
• Other images that were taken at the scene.
• The officer’s or troop’s information.
• Charges filed against the offender.
• The suspect’s bail or bond amount and if they paid it.
• The location where they are being incarcerated.
• Contact phone numbers if necessary, for witnesses or other people to call with tips and information.
• Social media links.

These news items also include a survey and other details. An official police report will provide even more information about the incident, the criminals, and possibly even include a copy of their fingerprints and mugshots.

Delaware Mugshots

Yes, police mugshots are readily available to the public in Delaware. In fact, the state police department posts many of them online on their website in the news section. They are also available to members of the press and the general public upon request. There may be fees involved, however, and paperwork to fill out.

Mugshots were first taken in the mid–1800s after photography was perfected. Then in 1888, Alphonse Bertillon, a French policeman, made it standard procedure to use them when booking a suspect. The process is now part of all arrest/booking processes in most countries. Police take mugshots of a suspect after they are arrested and as part of the booking process. Generally, two shots are taken, one from the front of the suspect’s face and then a side view (profile) also. Investigators, witnesses, and victims use these police photographs to identify criminals.

Delaware Arrest Booking Process

The booking process that takes place in Delaware is probably similar to other states. State police, local police, or other law enforcement officers have the authority to arrest someone if they witness a crime, suspect the person of a crime (and have a probable cause), or are executing an arrest warrant.

Upon arrest, they will take the person into custody, most often in handcuffs. Police then transport the suspect to the local jail or detention center. The booking officer will process them, and the following will occur.

• The suspect will be physically searched and have to hand over their personal belongings.
• The officer on duty will fingerprint and photograph them.
• A medical professional may give them an exam.
• They may be questioned but have the right to remain silent. Vital information like name, address, and phone number will be taken down and filed in the police report.
• The suspect will be provided jail clothing and assigned a jail cell.
• The Delaware police may also run a full background check to search for any warrants or other outstanding crimes.
• A bail fee may be set, or bond set up.

The person will stay in custody until their bail or bond is paid.

Violent Crime Rates for the last 10 years

The crime rate has decreased over the past decade in Delaware, going from 2,429 crimes in 2006 to 2,112 by 19% lower than it was back in 2006. The largest percentage of violent crimes falls into the Aggravated Assault category, with Revised Rape being the least popular crime in the state.

Arrest Law

DE peace officers are authorized to arrest someone in the state. They define arrest as “the taking of a person into custody in order that the person may be forthcoming to answer for the commission of a crime.” A Delaware peace officer may arrest someone for a misdemeanor without a warrant if the peace officer has reasonable ground to suspect that the person committed the crime. Additionally, a peace officer can arrest someone for a felony without a warrant if they believe someone committed a felony whether or not one was committed.

The Arrest Rate in Delaware

The crime rate in this state is 28.94 per 1000 residents. For 2017 there were 27,838 arrests. Four thousand three hundred sixty-one of them were for violent crime, and the other 23,477 were for property crime. Only 334 of the violent crimes were sexual assaults. Theft accounted for most of the property crime arrests with a total of 18,138. While 3,970 of them were burglary related and the other 1,369 were motor vehicles stolen.

State Offender and Victim Age Group Statistics

Most of the violent crime offenders in Delaware were 20-29 and the largest percentage of violent crime victims were 20-29.

Crime Victim Demographics

Residence Home is the place where the majority of crimes in Delaware were committed, in most of the crime cases the offender was a relationship unknown.

Delaware Arrest Records by Type of Crime

The popular arrests for 2017 in Delaware was for Other Assaults - 7,136, the same popularity of the arrest type was seen in Delaware and Illinois. The least popularity had Gambling arrests - with only 21 crimes a year.