DAR-0003

The five judges of the Delaware Circuit Court shall constitute the Board of Judges.

At the October meeting the Board of Judges shall select from among themselves a presiding judge of the court. The presiding judge shall be selected for a minimum term of twelve (12) months, whose one-year term shall begin the following January 1st. If available, the judge whose term as presiding judge has just ended shall serve as acting presiding judge when the presiding judge is unavailable. The presiding judge shall, as delegated by the Board of Judges:

1. 1. Direct preparation of the agenda and minutes of the Board of Judges meetings;
2. 2. Preside over the Board of Judges meetings and call special meetings as necessary;
3. 3. Ensure efficient operation of the court system and compliance with these Rules;
4. 4. Submit the annual budget for the court system, as approved by the Board of Judges, to include operation of the Delaware Circuit Court’s Probation Department;
5. 5. Present to the Board of Judges recommendations as to appointments or selections required of a circuit court judge;
6. 6. Direct preparation and circulation of all annual reports for the court system and amendments to these Rules;
7. 7. Maintain and distribute to the other judges policy manuals covering bond schedules, juror excuses, caseload allocation schedules and other matters pertaining to the day-to-day operation of the court system; and
8. 8. Perform other duties as directed by the Board of Judges or as set out in these Rules.

The Board of Judges shall meet, at a minimum, the months designated below to make policy decisions, provide educational reports, and review operations of the court system. The Director of Court Services, hereinafter referred to as the “court administrator” will be required to attend these meetings and participate in discussions. The meeting will be held during the months of January, April, July, October, and December on the 3rd Wednesday at Noon, subject to scheduling conflicts. A schedule of said meeting dates will be delivered each January by the Office of Court Services to each judge, chief adult probation officer, chief juvenile probation officer, and CASA Director.

Each fall (October) the Board of Judges and the court administrator shall attend an extended meeting to discuss:

1. 1. Selection of the next presiding judge;
2. 2. Implementation of the next annual budget as approved by the County Council;