Kent County Public Records / Kent County Arrest Records

Kent County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Kent County in 2026

KentCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Kent County, Delaware. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, court case data, and related criminal justice records through this resource. Record categories available through official and third-party channels include:

Arrest and booking records
Criminal court case filings
Inmate custody status
Warrant information
Charge and disposition data

Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Kent County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and arrest records for individuals processed through county facilities. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about available records. The Delaware State Police also maintains arrest data for incidents occurring within state police jurisdiction in Kent County, including Troop 3 in Camden. Current arrest information, including charges and custody status, is updated as cases progress through the system.

2. Local Police Departments

Several municipal police departments operate within Kent County and maintain their own arrest logs and press release archives. The Dover Police Department, the largest municipal agency in the county, publishes arrest information through its public affairs division. The Felton Police Department serves the Town of Felton and maintains records for arrests made within that jurisdiction. Members of the public may contact individual departments to request available arrest logs or press releases.

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Arrest records are frequently linked to court case filings accessible through Delaware Court Connect, the official judicial case database maintained by the Delaware Courts. Members of the public may search by name to locate associated criminal case filings, charge information, and case status. The Justice of the Peace Court 7, located at 480 Bank Lane in Dover, handles a significant volume of lower-level criminal matters originating from Kent County arrests.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (DELJIS) serves as the state-level repository for criminal justice data, including arrest records from all jurisdictions in Delaware. DELJIS provides authorized access to criminal history information and supports background check functions for law enforcement, licensing agencies, and other authorized entities. Members of the public seeking to verify warrant status may use the Delaware State Police's wanted person review tool to check whether an active warrant or capias exists for a named individual.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Kent County Sheriff's Office
400 High Street
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 744-4380
Kent County Sheriff's Office

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID and any known booking or case numbers
Fees for copies: $0.10 per page for standard copies; certification fees may apply

Police Departments:

Dover Police Department
400 South Queen Street
Dover, DE 19904
Phone: (302) 736-7111
Dover Police Department

Felton Police Department
101 East Main Street
Felton, DE 19943
Phone: (302) 284-9371
Felton Police Department

Records requests at municipal departments require a written request submitted in person or by mail. Fees vary by department but are subject to the fee schedule established under Delaware law.

Clerk of Court:

Kent County Prothonotary / Clerk of Courts
38 The Green
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-3186
Delaware Courts

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Criminal case files are available for public inspection at the clerk's office
Copy fees: $0.10 per page; certified copies are available for an additional fee

By Mail:

Written requests submitted by mail to the Kent County Sheriff's Office should include:

Full legal name of the subject
Date of arrest, if known
Booking number, if known
Requestor's full name, mailing address, and contact information
Payment for applicable copy fees (check or money order payable to Kent County Sheriff's Office)
Processing time: 5–10 business days

By Phone:

Kent County Sheriff's Office: (302) 744-4380
Dover Police Records Division: (302) 736-7111
Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
Detailed record information is not released by phone; callers may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys of record may request arrest records and associated case materials through the discovery process in pending criminal proceedings. Subpoenas may be issued for records not otherwise available through public access channels. Detailed investigative materials, including police reports and witness statements, are accessible through formal legal proceedings rather than standard public records requests.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number, if known
Jurisdiction of arrest (which agency made the arrest)

Are Arrest Records Public in Kent County

Arrest records in Kent County, Delaware, are public records subject to disclosure under the Delaware Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at 29 Del. C. § 10001 et seq. The statute establishes that government records are presumptively open to public inspection unless a specific exemption applies. Arrest records fall within the category of law enforcement records that are accessible to the general public, subject to defined limitations.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and known aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking number
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Bond and bail information
Current custody status
Basic demographic information, including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted and not available for public inspection
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Information pertaining to active investigations may be withheld
Undercover officer identities are exempt from disclosure
Confidential informant information is protected
Victim identifying information is restricted in certain categories of cases
Participants in witness protection programs are not identified in public records

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

The public's right to access government records, including arrest records, is grounded in both the Delaware Constitution and the state's FOIA statute. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution supports press and public access to criminal justice proceedings and records. Courts have recognized that transparency in the arrest process serves the public interest in government accountability, while due process principles require that the distinction between an arrest and a conviction be clearly maintained in any public disclosure.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

Members of the general public
Media organizations and journalists
Employers, subject to restrictions under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
Licensing and regulatory agencies
Background check companies operating under FCRA compliance
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers using arrest records for hiring decisions must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq., which governs the use of consumer reports, including criminal background checks. Delaware does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, but certain public employers are subject to restrictions on the timing of criminal history inquiries. The distinction between an arrest and a conviction is legally significant: an arrest does not establish guilt, and the use of arrest records without conviction in adverse employment or housing decisions may give rise to legal liability under applicable state and federal law.

What's in Kent County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name
Aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks, including scars and tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be partially redacted)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest (street address or general area)
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police department, or Delaware State Police)
Arresting officer name and badge number (in some records)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if the arrest was warrant-based

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
Delaware Code statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions
Classification (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable
Gang-related designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not included in public-facing records)
Personal property inventory

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount as set by the court
Bond type: cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance, or no bond
Release date and time, if applicable
Release conditions, if made part of the public record

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction (Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, or Justice of the Peace Court)
Scheduled arraignment date
Court location
Judge assignment, if available through Delaware Courts

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report contents)
Witness statements
Victim identifying information
Evidence collected during the investigation
Investigative techniques and methods
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Financial account information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Document Type	Description
Police Report	Detailed incident narrative; not always public
Court Records	Legal proceedings following arrest; accessible via Delaware Court Connect
Criminal Record	Convictions and sentences; maintained by DELJIS
Background Check	Comprehensive screening from multiple sources

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Kent County?

The cost to obtain arrest records in Kent County depends on the requesting agency and the format of the records sought. Under Delaware's FOIA statute, agencies are permitted to charge fees that reflect the actual cost of reproduction.

Standard Fee Schedule:

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.10 per page
Certified copies	$5.00–$10.00 per document (varies by office)
Electronic records	No standard fee; may be provided at no cost
Search fees	Not charged for routine name-based searches
Inspection of records	No charge for in-person inspection

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for requests made in the public interest, subject to agency discretion
Court records accessed through Delaware Court Connect are available for online viewing at no charge; printed copies from the clerk's office are subject to the standard per-page fee
Inmate custody status may be verified at no cost through the Delaware Department of Correction inmate locator
Warrant status checks are available at no cost through the Delaware State Police online tool

How To Delete Arrest Records in Kent County

Under Delaware law, the legal mechanisms for removing arrest records from public access are expungement (physical destruction or removal of records) and sealing (restricting public access while retaining the record). The distinction is significant: expunged records are destroyed or rendered inaccessible to the public and most employers, while sealed records remain in existence but are not available through standard public access channels.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Delaware's expungement statute, 11 Del. C. § 4372, governs eligibility for expungement of criminal records. Under current law, the following circumstances may qualify an individual for expungement:

Arrest with no charges filed (eligible for mandatory expungement)
Charges dismissed or nolle prossed (eligible for mandatory expungement)
Acquittal at trial (eligible for mandatory expungement)
Certain misdemeanor convictions after a waiting period (eligible for discretionary expungement)
Certain felony convictions after a waiting period, subject to statutory restrictions

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain a copy of the criminal history record from DELJIS or the arresting agency
Confirm eligibility under 11 Del. C. § 4372
Complete the petition for expungement (available through the Delaware Courts)
File the petition with the Superior Court in Kent County
Serve the petition on the State Attorney General's Office
Attend any scheduled hearing
If granted, the court order is transmitted to all relevant agencies for record destruction or sealing

Relevant Contacts:

Kent County Superior Court
38 The Green
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-3186
Delaware Courts

Delaware Department of Justice – Kent County
102 West Water Street
Dover, DE 19904
Phone: (302) 739-4211
Delaware Department of Justice

Delaware Criminal Justice Information System (DELJIS)
800 Silver Lake Boulevard, Suite 101
Dover, DE 19904
Delaware Criminal Justice Information System

What Happens After Arrest in Kent County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Kent County, the arrested individual is transported to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution or, for certain offenses, to a local holding facility. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest and the arresting agency. The individual remains in restraints during transport and may be held briefly at the scene while the arresting officer completes initial documentation.

Howard R. Young Correctional Institution
1301 East 12th Street
Wilmington, DE 19802
Phone: (302) 429-7700
Department of Correction

For Kent County detainees, the primary holding facility is:

James T. Vaughn Correctional Center
1181 Paddock Road
Smyrna, DE 19977
Phone: (302) 653-9261
Department of Correction

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the booking facility, the following steps are completed:

Personal information recorded
Miranda rights administered, if not previously given
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken
Fingerprints collected and submitted to DELJIS and the FBI
Criminal history and outstanding warrant check conducted
Personal property inventoried and stored
Clothing exchanged for facility-issued attire
Medical and brief mental health screening completed
Housing classification assigned

The booking process takes approximately one to four hours depending on facility volume.

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Delaware law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate or judge for an initial appearance within 24 hours of arrest. At this hearing:

Formal charges are read
The right to counsel is addressed, including appointment of a public defender for eligible individuals
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are formally advisement

Hearings may be conducted via video conference. The Justice of the Peace Court 7, located at 480 Bank Lane, Dover, handles initial appearances for many Kent County arrests.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount is paid in cash and is refunded at the conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees. The amount is set by the presiding magistrate or judge.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, typically ten percent of the total bond.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear, without monetary payment, based on community ties, employment status, criminal history, and the nature of the charges.

No Bond: The individual is held without the possibility of release pending trial. Grounds include serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release may include check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, processing for release takes approximately one to eight hours. The individual receives written conditions of release and a court date. Failure to appear results in bond forfeiture and issuance of a capias. If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody, receives a housing assignment, and is subject to facility orientation procedures.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender's Office – Kent County
45 The Green
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-4568
Delaware Public Defender

Eligibility for a public defender is based on financial need. Private counsel may be retained at any stage of the proceedings and may visit the facility for confidential consultations.

Charging Decision:

The Delaware Department of Justice reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Arraignment follows the filing of charges. The defendant enters a plea—not guilty, guilty, or no contest—and court dates are scheduled. The majority of defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions (including motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges), pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution may occur through dismissal, diversion programs (including drug court, mental health court, or veterans court), a negotiated plea agreement, or trial. If convicted, sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, and treatment programs.

Timeline Overview:

Stage	Timeframe
Arrest to first appearance	Within 24 hours
First appearance to arraignment	Days to weeks
Arraignment to resolution (misdemeanor)	Weeks to several months
Arraignment to resolution (felony)	Several months to over one year

State Attorney's Office – Kent County
102 West Water Street
Dover, DE 19904
Phone: (302) 739-4211
Delaware Department of Justice

What to Do If Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Exercise the right to remain silent
Request an attorney immediately and do not discuss the case with anyone other than counsel
Contact family or a trusted individual for assistance with bail
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Kent County?

Records Retention Overview:

Retention of arrest records in Kent County is governed by Delaware state law and the records retention schedules established by the Delaware Public Archives. Under 29 Del. C. § 504, state agencies are required to maintain records in accordance with approved retention schedules, and no public record may be destroyed without authorization.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, DELJIS, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the individual's permanent criminal history

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently in most databases
Court records are maintained indefinitely in electronic form
Local law enforcement records are subject to agency-specific retention schedules

Dismissed Charges / Acquittals:

Records may remain in law enforcement databases unless expunged
Court records are often retained permanently in electronic form
Eligible for expungement under Delaware law, after which records are removed from public access

Charges Not Filed / No-Information:

Booking records are subject to shorter retention periods
Eligible for mandatory expungement under current Delaware law
May be purged from local systems after the applicable retention period

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Record Type	Retention
Booking paperwork (physical)	Varies; subject to state retention schedule
Fingerprint cards	Permanent (state and federal repositories)
Mugshot photographs	Retained until expungement or destruction order
Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records	Typically 3–7 years
Records management system entries	Often permanent
Court electronic records	Often permanent

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and third-party websites may retain arrest record information indefinitely and are not subject to the same update requirements as law enforcement agencies. The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate records, but third-party websites operating outside the FCRA framework may not update records following expungement. Members of the public who have obtained an expungement order should be aware that removal from unofficial databases may require separate action.

Retention by Agency:

Kent County Sheriff's Office: Booking records and arrest reports are retained in accordance with the Delaware Public Archives retention schedule. Investigative files are retained for varying periods depending on case outcome and offense classification.

Municipal Police Departments: Arrest records and incident reports are retained per department policy and state retention schedules. Retention periods may vary between the Dover Police Department, the Felton Police Department, and other municipal agencies.

Clerk of Court: Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor case files are retained for a minimum of five years following case closure. Electronic records are maintained indefinitely.

DELJIS: The Delaware Criminal Justice Information System maintains criminal history records for all arrests statewide. Retention is governed by state policy and federal requirements for participation in the NCIC and Interstate Identification Index (III).

FBI Database: Federal databases, including the NCIC and III, retain arrest records permanently and are accessible to law enforcement agencies nationwide for background check and investigative purposes.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention in all major databases; appears on background checks indefinitely
Dismissal: May remain unless expunged; not reported on most employment background checks
Expungement: Local records destroyed or sealed; DELJIS updated; FBI database may retain with a notation; removal from third-party databases is not guaranteed
No Charges Filed: Shortest retention period; eligible for mandatory expungement under Delaware law

Impact on Background Checks:

Under the FCRA, most employment background checks report criminal history for a period of seven years, though convictions may be reported indefinitely for positions with salaries above a statutory threshold. Delaware does not currently impose a blanket prohibition on reporting non-conviction arrest records, but expunged records are not to be disclosed in response to background check inquiries. Employers and landlords are advised to consult applicable state and federal law before taking adverse action based on arrest record information.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Kent County Sheriff's Records Division at (302) 744-4380 or submit a written public records request to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. Fees may apply for copies of responsive records.