Dover Justice of the Peace Court cases in Kent County, Dover, DE
Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, Delaware, is a state limited-jurisdiction trial court. It serves as an entry-level court in the Delaware judiciary, handling initial criminal processing (warrants, first appearances, and bail) for more serious offenses before transfer to higher courts, and adjudicating minor criminal offenses and traffic violations. The court also hears limited civil matters, including small-claims and other statutory civil actions such as debt/contract disputes, replevin, trespass, and landlord-tenant summary possession/eviction cases. Family law and major civil cases are handled by other Delaware courts.
Dover Justice of the Peace Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Justice of the Pease Court |
| County: | Kent |
| Street Address: | 480 Bank Lane |
| City: | Dover |
| Zip Code: | 19904 |
| Phone: | 302-739-4554 |
| Fax: | 302-739-6797 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday | 8:00 - 4:00 |
| Website URL: | https://courts.delaware.gov/locations/jp07.aspx |
| Parking: | Parking is available behind the court off West Street. |
| Jury Service: | https://courts.delaware.gov/information_jurors.aspx |
| Languages: | English |
| Email: | JPCourt07@delaware.gov |
| ADA: | If you are a person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation to attend a trial or hearing, please contact the court in which the trial or hearing is scheduled to occur as soon as possible, preferably in writing, before the trial or hearing. Individual court’s contact information in all three counties can be found on the Hours and Locations section of this website.Jurors needing a reasonable accommodation should contact Jury Services in the county in which they are serving. |
Services and Case Types Handled in Dover Justice of the Peace Court
Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 is a Delaware limited-jurisdiction court providing front-line public access to justice. Core services include:
- Case filings: civil/small-claims (debt, contract, tort, replevin) and landlord‑tenant matters (summary possession/evictions and related money claims) within JP Court monetary limits.
- Traffic and minor criminal matters: ticket payments/contests, arraignments, bench trials where authorized, issuance of warrants, initial appearances, and bail.
- Preliminary hearings for felony cases before transfer to higher courts.
- Court operations: scheduling and holding hearings, processing continuances, providing case information, accepting payments, and supplying forms.
- Protective relief: issues criminal no-contact orders in related cases; civil Protection From Abuse orders are filed in Family Court.
- Jury services: JP Courts do not conduct jury trials; cases requiring a jury are transferred (e.g., to the Court of Common Pleas or Superior Court).
The court facilitates accessible filings, timely hearings, and efficient case processing for the public.