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HB 133

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 11 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO FINES, FEES, RESTITUTION, AND OTHER COURT-RELATED MONETARY OBLIGATIONS.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Darius Brown and 21 co-sponsors

HB 133 reforms Delaware criminal court financial obligations by restructuring how fines, fees, and restitution are assessed and collected from defendants.

Passed By Senate. Votes: 16 YES 5 NO
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Bill Summary · HB 133

Legislative bill overview

HB 133 amends Delaware's criminal justice code to reform how fines, fees, restitution, and other monetary obligations are assessed and collected from defendants. The bill addresses the mechanics of court-related financial penalties and their implementation within Title 11 of the Delaware Code.

Why is this important

Court-imposed monetary obligations significantly impact defendants' financial stability and can perpetuate cycles of poverty and incarceration when payments become unmanageable. These reforms affect both the criminal justice system's revenue collection methods and the economic circumstances of individuals with criminal records, touching issues of fairness, rehabilitation, and public safety.

Potential points of contention

  • Ability to pay standards: Whether the bill requires courts to assess defendants' financial capacity before imposing fines and fees, potentially reducing state revenue from court operations
  • Restitution prioritization: Disagreement over whether restitution to victims should take priority over other court fees, and how this affects victim compensation versus state funding
  • Incarceration for debt: Controversy regarding whether the bill restricts jailing individuals solely for inability to pay court obligations, balancing accountability with debtor's prison concerns

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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