§ 1317 — City Solicitor; powers and duties

(a) The City Solicitor of Wilmington or a duly authorized designee shall be ex officio the prosecuting officer in the Court of Common Pleas and the Justice of the Peace Court for all offenses committed within the City of Wilmington against any of the laws, ordinances, regulations or charter of the City. The Courts may by rule establish a regularly scheduled time and place to hear and try such matters. The Attorney General of the State may, however, prosecute in person or by his or her deputy.

(b) The City Solicitor shall appoint an Assistant City Solicitor who shall hold office at the pleasure of the City Solicitor and perform the duties required of him or her by the City Solicitor. The City Solicitor may discharge the assistant at any time, and his or her acts in this regard shall not be questioned.

(c) In addition to his or her other powers, the City Solicitor may compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers at the City Solicitor’s office at any time, and may administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses at any time or in any place, for the purpose of securing information relative to the enforcement of the laws, ordinances, regulations or charter of the City. Subpoenas and attachments for the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books and papers shall be signed by the City Solicitor and shall be served by any police officer. Any false answer or statement given in such a case shall be deemed perjury and punishable accordingly. The costs in such cases shall be paid by the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and the Justice of the Peace Court in the same manner as the costs of other proceedings in the Court are paid.

Legislative History

71 Del. Laws, c. 176, § 9 ; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1