For more than two centuries, sheriffs and their deputies have served as officers of Delaware’s courts, delivering summonses and carrying out tax sales on behalf of the people.
In the Family Court, however, private process servers, not deputies, have performed the task of delivering court documents for more than 20 years. Sussex County Sheriff Eric D. Swanson is working to bring those duties back under his roof.
Sheriff’s office officials detailed their plans Oct. 27, before the Sussex County Council to take over document delivery duties for the Family Court system, beginning as early as this month, on a month-to-month trial basis.
If successful, the Sussex County Sheriff’s Office could take on the assignment full time in 2010, based on a tentative agreement with the state.
“We believe we can offer the same service more efficiently and cheaper than what is presently offered for the Family Court system,” Swanson said prior to the county council meeting.
“We’re already here in Sussex County; we know the terrain, and we perform this very duty for the Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas and the Court of Chancery.
“It just makes sense for us to handle it, and we can keep those tax dollars right here in Sussex,” said Swanson.
County council endorsed the plan and proposed rates, all of which will be submitted to the Delaware Office of Management and Budget for review.
If a formal bid is required and the sheriff’s office selected, the county could earn an additional $80,000 a year in net income.
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