Smyrna Justice of the Peace Court cases in Kent County, Smyrna, DE
Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 8 in Smyrna, Delaware, is a state Justice of the Peace (limited-jurisdiction trial) court. It serves as an entry-level court in the local judicial system, handling minor criminal matters and traffic offenses, issuing warrants, conducting arraignments, setting bail, and holding preliminary hearings in felony cases. On the civil side, it hears small-claims disputes, debt and contract claims, replevin, and landlord-tenant summary possession actions. Family law matters (such as divorce or custody) and serious felony trials fall outside its jurisdiction and are handled by the Family Court or Superior Court.
Smyrna Justice of the Peace Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Justice of the Pease Court |
| County: | Kent |
| Street Address: | 100 Monrovia Avenue |
| City: | Smyrna |
| Zip Code: | 19977 |
| Phone: | 302-653-7083 |
| Fax: | 302-653-2888 |
| Hours: | Monday-Tuesday 8:00am - 4:00pm , Wednesday -Friday : Closed |
| Website URL: | https://courts.delaware.gov/jpcourt/ |
| Parking: | Parking is available at the rear of the court building. |
| Jury Service: | https://courts.delaware.gov/information_jurors.aspx |
| Languages: | English |
| Email: | JPCourt08@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 Smyrna Justice of the Peace Court
Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 8 serves the public as Delaware's limited‑jurisdiction court. It handles:
- Civil filings: small civil actions up to $25,000, including debt/contract, trespass, replevin, and landlord-tenant summary possession (evictions), plus post-judgment remedies (garnishments, writs, constable sales).
- Criminal/traffic: traffic offenses and many misdemeanors; initial appearances/arraignments, warrants, bail setting, and preliminary hearings for felonies.
- Case processing: accepts filings, schedules hearings and bench trials, issues judgments and orders, and manages payments, fines, costs, and payment plans.
- Protective orders: Protection From Abuse petitions are handled by Family Court; JP Court 8 may issue criminal no-contact orders as conditions of bail.
- Jury services: JP Court 8 does not conduct jury trials; juror services are provided by higher courts.
Services include public information, forms, interpreters, and accessibility accommodations.