There Is a Newer Version of the Delaware Code

2010 Delaware Code
Title 11 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Chapter 5. Specific Offenses
Subchapter II. Offenses Against the Person

TITLE 11 Crimes and Criminal Procedure Delaware Criminal Code CHAPTER 5. SPECIFIC OFFENSES Subchapter II. Offenses Against the Person Subpart A. Assaults and Related Offenses

§ 601. Offensive touching; unclassified misdemeanor; class A misdemeanor.

(a) A person is guilty of offensive touching when the person:

(1) Intentionally touches another person either with a member of his or her body or with any instrument, knowing that the person is thereby likely to cause offense or alarm to such other person; or

(2) Intentionally strikes another person with saliva, urine, feces or any other bodily fluid, knowing that the person is thereby likely to cause offense or alarm to such other person.

(b) When charged with a violation of paragraph (a)(2) of this section, the defendant shall be tested for diseases transmittable through bodily fluids, the cost of such tests to be assessed as costs upon conviction. The results of such tests shall be provided only to the Attorney General, the victim of the offense, the defendant and the Department of Correction's medical care provider.

(c) Any violation of paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be an unclassified misdemeanor. Notwithstanding the above, any violation of paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be a class A misdemeanor when the victim is acting in the lawful performance of the victim's duty as one of the following: law-enforcement officer, hospital or nursing home employee, physician, medical professional, ambulance attendant, emergency medical technician, Delaware State Fire Police Officer, correctional officer, volunteer firefighter or full-time firefighter. Any violation of paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall be a class A misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 601; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 382, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 108, §§ 1, 2.;

§ 602. Menacing; unclassified misdemeanor.

(a) A person is guilty of menacing when by some movement of body or any instrument the person intentionally places another person in fear of imminent physical injury.

Menacing is an unclassified misdemeanor.

(b) A person is guilty of aggravated menacing when by displaying what appears to be a deadly weapon that person intentionally places another person in fear of imminent physical injury. Aggravated menacing is a class E felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 602; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 159, §§ 1, 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 603. Reckless endangering in the second degree; class A misdemeanor.

(a) A person is guilty of reckless endangering in the second degree when:

(1) The person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury to another person; or

(2) Being a parent, guardian or other person legally charged with the care or custody of a child less than 18 years old, the person knowingly, intentionally or with criminal negligence acts in a manner which contributes to or fails to act to prevent the unlawful possession and/or purchase of a firearm by a juvenile. It shall be an absolute defense to this paragraph if the person charged had a lock on the trigger and did not tell or show the juvenile where the key to the trigger lock was kept. It shall also be an absolute defense to this paragraph if the person had locked the firearm in a key or combination locked container and did not tell or show the juvenile where the key was kept or what the combination was.

(b) Reckless endangering in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 603; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 359, § 1.;

§ 604. Reckless endangering in the first degree; class E felony.

A person is guilty of reckless endangering in the first degree when the person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death to another person.

Reckless endangering in the first degree is a class E felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 604; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 69 Del. Laws, c. 24, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 34, § 9.;

§ 605. Abuse of a pregnant female in the second degree; class C felony.

(a) A person is guilty of abuse of a pregnant female in the second degree when in the course of or in furtherance of the commission or attempted commission of assault third degree or any violent felony against or upon a pregnant female, or while in immediate flight therefrom, the person recklessly and without her consent causes the unlawful termination of her pregnancy.

(b) It is no defense to a prosecution under this section that the person was unaware that the victim was pregnant.

(c) Prosecution under this section does not preclude prosecution under any other section of the Delaware Code. Abuse of a pregnant female in the second degree is a class C felony.

72 Del. Laws, c. 43, § 3; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 606. Abuse of a pregnant female in the first degree; class B felony.

(a) A person is guilty of abuse of a pregnant female in the first degree when in the course of or in furtherance of the commission or attempted commission of assault third degree any violent felony against or upon a pregnant female, or while in immediate flight therefrom, the person intentionally and without her consent causes the unlawful termination of her pregnancy.

(b) It is no defense to a prosecution under this section that the person was unaware that the victim was pregnant.

(c) Prosecution under this section does not preclude prosecution under any other section of the Delaware Code. Abuse of a pregnant female in the first degree is a class B felony.

72 Del. Laws, c. 43, § 4; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 607. Strangulation; penalty; affirmative defense.

(a)(1) A person commits the offense of strangulation if the person knowingly or intentionally impedes the breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying pressure on the throat or neck of the other person.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, strangulation is a class E felony.

(3) Strangulation is a class D felony if:

a. The person used or attempted to use a dangerous instrument or a deadly weapon while committing the offense; or

b. The person caused serious physical injury to the other person while committing the offense; or

c. The person has been previously convicted of strangulation.

(b) It is an affirmative defense that an act constituting strangulation was the result of a legitimate medical procedure.

77 Del. Laws, c. 256, § 1.;

§§ 608-610. [Reserved.]

§ 611. Assault in the third degree; class A misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of assault in the third degree when:

(1) The person intentionally or recklessly causes physical injury to another person; or

(2) With criminal negligence the person causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument.

Assault in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 611; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 612. Assault in the second degree; class D felony.

(a) A person is guilty of assault in the second degree when:

(1) The person recklessly or intentionally causes serious physical injury to another person; or

(2) The person recklessly or intentionally causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument; or

(3) The person intentionally causes physical injury to a law-enforcement officer, a volunteer firefighter, a full-time firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, fire police officer, fire marshal, correctional officer, a sheriff, a deputy sheriff, a code enforcement constable or a code enforcement officer who is acting in the lawful performance of duty. For purposes of this subsection, if a law-enforcement officer is off duty and the nature of the assault is related to that law-enforcement officer's official position, then it shall fall within the meaning of "official duties" of a law-enforcement officer; or

(4) The person intentionally causes physical injury to the operator of an ambulance, a rescue squad member, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, paramedic, licensed medical doctor or any other person while such person is rendering emergency care; or

(5) The person recklessly or intentionally causes physical injury to another person who is 62 years of age or older; or

(6) The person intentionally assaults a law-enforcement officer while in the performance of the officer's duties, with any disabling chemical spray, or with any aerosol or hand sprayed liquid or gas with the intent to incapacitate such officer and prevent the officer from performing such duties; or

(7) The person intentionally, while engaged in commission of any crime enumerated in this chapter, assaults any other person with any disabling chemical spray, or with any aerosol or hand sprayed liquid or gas with the intent to incapacitate the victim; or

(8) The person intentionally causes physical injury to any state employee or officer when that employee or officer is discharging or attempting to discharge a duty of employment or office; or

(9) The person recklessly or intentionally causes physical injury to a pregnant female. It is no defense to a prosecution under this subsection that the person was unaware that the victim was pregnant; or

(10) A person who is 18 years of age or older and who recklessly or intentionally causes physical injury to another person who has not yet reached the age of 6 years. In any prosecution of a parent, guardian, foster parent, legal custodian or other person similarly responsible for the general care and supervision of a child victim pursuant to this paragraph, the State shall be required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the absence of any justification offered by § 468(1) of this title. In any prosecution of a teacher or school administrator pursuant to this paragraph, the State shall be required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the absence of any justification offered by § 468(2) of this title; or

(11) The person recklessly or intentionally causes physical injury to a law enforcement officer, security officer, fire policeman, fire fighter, paramedic, or emergency medical technician in the lawful performance of their duties by means of an electronic control device shall be a class C felony.

(b) It is no defense, for an offense under paragraph (a)(5) of this section, that the accused did not know the person's age or that the accused reasonably believed the person to be under the age of 62.

(c) It is no defense, for an offense under paragraph (a)(10) of this section, that the accused did not know the person's age or that the accused reasonably believed the person to be 6 years of age or older.

(d) Assault in the second degree is a class D felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 612; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 63 Del. Laws, c. 50, § 1; 63 Del. Laws, c. 237, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 68 Del. Laws, c. 129, §§ 1, 3; 69 Del. Laws, c. 24, §§ 3, 4; 69 Del. Laws, c. 189, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 367, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 128, §§ 1-5; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 307, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 374, §§ 4, 5; 72 Del. Laws, c. 34, § 10; 72 Del. Laws, c. 43, § 5; 72 Del. Laws, c. 173, §§ 1, 2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 126, §§ 3, 16; 74 Del. Laws, c. 199; 76 Del. Laws, c. 270, § 3; 77 Del. Laws, c. 119, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 265, § 1.;

§ 613. Assault in the first degree; class B felony.

(a) A person is guilty of assault in the first degree when:

(1) The person intentionally causes serious physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument; or

(2) The person intentionally disfigures another person seriously and permanently, or intentionally destroys, amputates or disables permanently a member or organ of another person's body; or

(3) The person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a substantial risk of death to another person, and thereby causes serious physical injury to another person; or

(4) While engaged in the commission of, or attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit any felony, the person intentionally or recklessly causes serious physical injury to another person; or

(5) The person intentionally causes serious physical injury to a law-enforcement officer, a volunteer firefighter, a full-time firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, fire police officer, fire marshal, a code enforcement constable or a code enforcement officer who is acting in the lawful performance of duty; or

(6) The person intentionally causes serious physical injury to the operator of an ambulance, a rescue squad member, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, paramedic, licensed medical doctor or any other person while such person is rendering emergency care; or

(7) The person intentionally causes serious physical injury to another person who is 62 years of age or older.

(b) It is no defense, for an offense under paragraph (a)(7) of this section, that the accused did not know the person's age or that the accused reasonably believed the person to be under the age of 62.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 613; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 63 Del. Laws, c. 50, § 2; 63 Del. Laws, c. 237, § 2; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 68 Del. Laws, c. 129, §§ 2, 3; 69 Del. Laws, c. 24, §§ 5, 6; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 34, § 11; 73 Del. Laws, c. 126, §§ 4, 16; 74 Del. Laws, c. 106, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 168, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 119, § 2; 77 Del. Laws, c. 265, § 2.;

§ 614. Abuse of a sports official; class G felony; class A misdemeanor.

(a) A person is guilty of abuse of a sports official whenever the person intentionally or recklessly commits the following acts against a sports official who is acting in the lawful performance of duty:

(1) Reckless endangering in the second degree, as set forth in § 603 of this title; or

(2) Assault in the third degree, as set forth in § 611 of this title; or

(3) Terroristic threatening, as set forth in § 621 of this title; or

(4) Criminal mischief, as set forth in § 811 of this title.

(b) For purposes of this section, the words "sports official" shall mean any person who serves as a registered, paid or volunteer referee, umpire, line judge or acts in any similar capacity during a sporting event. For purposes of this section, the words, "lawful performance of duty" means the time immediately prior to, during and/or immediately after the sporting event.

(c) Whoever violates subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. Upon conviction for a second or subsequent offense under this section, such person shall be guilty of a class G felony. Notwithstanding Chapter 42 of this title, such person shall be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,350. In addition to the fines imposed by this subsection, any person who is guilty of abuse of a sports official shall be prohibited from participating in and/or attending any organized sporting event for a period of not less than 3 months nor more than 12 months.

(d) Except as provided in § 922 of Title 10, and notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Court of Common Pleas shall have original jurisdiction to hear, try and finally determine any violation of this section, and any other misdemeanor violation of any offense set forth in this title which was allegedly committed during the same incident. Prosecution under this section shall not preclude a separate charge, conviction and sentence for any other crime set forth in the Code.

67 Del. Laws, c. 247, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 342, § 1.;

§ 615. Assault by abuse or neglect; class B felony.

(a) A person is guilty of assault by abuse or neglect when the person recklessly causes serious physical injury to a child:

(1) Through an act of abuse and/or neglect of such child; or

(2) When the person has engaged in a previous pattern of abuse and/or neglect of such child.

(b) For the purposes of this section:

(1) "Child" shall refer to any person who has not yet reached that person's 14/ft/fh birthday.

(2) "Abuse" and "neglect" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 1103 of this title.

(3) "Previous pattern" of abuse and/or neglect shall mean 2 or more incidents of conduct:

a. That constitute an act of abuse and/or neglect; and

b. Are not so closely related to each other or connected in point of time and place that they constitute a single event.

(c) A conviction is not required for an act of abuse or neglect to be used in prosecution of a matter under this section, including an act used as proof of a previous pattern as defined in this paragraph. A conviction for any act of abuse or neglect, including one which may be relied upon to establish a previous pattern of abuse and/or neglect, does not preclude prosecution under this section. Prosecution under this section does not preclude prosecution under any other section of the Code.

(d) Assault by abuse or neglect is a class B felony.

72 Del. Laws, c. 197, § 1.;

§ 616. Gang participation.

(a) Definitions. -- The following terms shall have the following meaning as used in this section.

(1) "Criminal street gang" means any ongoing organization, association, or group of 3 or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as 1 of its primary activities the commission of one or more of the criminal acts enumerated in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, having a common name or common identifying sign or symbol, and whose members individually or collectively engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang activity.

(2) "Pattern of criminal gang activity" means the commission of attempted commission of, conspiracy to commit, solicitation of, or conviction of 2 or more of the following criminal offenses, provided that at least 1 of these offenses occurred after July 1, 2003, and that the last of those offenses occurred within 3 years after a prior offense, and provided that the offenses were committed on separate occasions, or by 2 or more persons:

a. Assault, as defined in § 612 or § 613 of this title.

b. Any criminal acts causing death as defined in §§ 632--636 of this title.

c. Any criminal acts relating to sexual offenses defined in §§ 768--780 of this title.

d. Any criminal offenses relating to unlawful imprisonment or kidnapping which are defined in §§ 782--783A of this title.

e. Any criminal acts of arson as defined in §§ 801--803 of this title.

f. Any criminal acts relating to burglary which are defined in §§ 824--826 of this Title.

g. Any criminal acts relating to robbery which are defined in §§ 831 and 832 of this title.

h. Any criminal acts relating to theft or extortion which are defined in § 841, § 849 or § 851 of this title, provided that such acts meet the requirements of felony offenses under said sections.

i. Any criminal acts relating to riot, unlawful disruption, hate crimes, stalking or bombs which are defined in § 1302, former § 1303 [repealed], § 1304, § 1312A or § 1338 of this title, provided that such acts meet the requirements of felony offenses under said sections.

j. Any criminal acts involving deadly weapons or dangerous instruments which are defined in § 1442, § 1444, §§ 1447--1448, § 1449, § 1450, § 1451, § 1454 or § 1455 of this title.

k. Any criminal acts involving controlled substances which are defined by §§ 4751, 4752, 4753A, 4755, 4756, 4761, 4761A of Title 16.

(b) Forbidden conduct. -- A person who actively participates in any criminal street gang with knowledge that its members engage in or have engaged in a pattern of criminal gang activity and who knowingly promotes, furthers or assists in any criminal conduct by members of that gang which would constitute a felony under Delaware law, shall be guilty of illegal gang participation. Illegal gang participation is a class F felony.

(1) Any person who is convicted of a class E felony committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang, with the specific intent to promote, further, or assist in any criminal conduct by gang members, shall, upon conviction of that felony, be sentenced consistent with the sentence dictated by Delaware law for a class D felony under § 4205(b)(4) of this title.

(2) Any person who is convicted of a class D felony committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang, with the specific intent to promote, further, or assist in any criminal conduct by gang members, shall, upon conviction of that felony, be sentenced consistent with the sentence dictated by Delaware law for a class C felony under § 4205(b)(3) of this title.

(3) Any person who is convicted of a class C felony committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with any criminal street gang, with the specific intent to promote, further, or assist in any criminal conduct by gang members, shall, upon conviction of that felony, be sentenced consistent with the sentence dictated by Delaware law for a class B felony under § 4205(b)(2) of this title.

74 Del. Laws, c. 115, § 1.;

§ 617. Criminal youth gangs.

(a) Definitions. -- The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have their meaning ascribed to them except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.

(1) "Criminal youth gang" shall mean a group of 3 or more persons with a gang name or other identifier which either promotes, sponsors, assists in, participates in or requires as a condition of membership submission to group initiation that results in any felony or any class A misdemeanor set forth in this title or Title 16.

(2) "Identifier" shall mean common identifying signs, symbols, tattoos, markings, graffiti, or attire or other distinguishing characteristics or indicia of gang membership.

(3) "Student" shall mean any person enrolled in a school grades preschool through 12.

(b) Recruitment or retention of juveniles or students for a criminal street gang or criminal youth gang; penalties. --

(1) Any person who solicits, invites, recruits, encourages or otherwise causes or attempts to cause a juvenile or student to participate in or be come a member of a criminal street gang as defined in § 616(a) of this title or criminal youth gang is guilty of a class G felony.

(2) Any person who,

a. In order to encourage a juvenile or student to:

1. Join a criminal youth gang or criminal street gang,

2. Remain as a participant in or a member of a criminal youth gang or criminal street gang, or

3. Submit to a demand by a criminal youth gang or criminal street gang to commit a crime; or

b. In order to prevent a juvenile or student from withdrawing or attempting to withdraw from a criminal youth gang or criminal street gang threatens to commit any crime likely to result in death or in physical injury to the juvenile, the juvenile's property, a member of that juvenile's family or household, or their property; or commits a crime which results in physical injury or death to the juvenile, the juvenile's property, a member of that juvenile's family or household, or their property

shall be guilty of a class F felony and shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. If the acts or activities violating this section also violate another provision of law, a prosecution under this section shall not prohibit or bar any prosecution or proceeding under such other provision or the imposition of any penalties provided for thereby.

75 Del. Laws, c. 421, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§§ 618-620. [Reserved.]

§ 621. Terroristic threatening.

(a) A person is guilty of terroristic threatening when that person commits any of the following:

(1) The person threatens to commit any crime likely to result in death or in serious injury to person or property;

(2) The person makes a false statement or statements:

a. Knowing that the statement or statements are likely to cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly, or facility of public transportation;

b. Knowing that the statement or statements are likely to cause serious inconvenience; or

c. In reckless disregard of the risk of causing terror or serious inconvenience; or

(3) The person commits an act with intent of causing an individual to believe that the individual has been exposed to a substance that will cause the individual death or serious injury.

(b) Any violation of paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be a class A misdemeanor except where the victim is a person 62 years of age or older, in which case any violation of paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall be a class G felony. Any violation of paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall be a class G felony unless the place at which the risk of evacuation, serious inconvenience or terror is created is a place that has the purpose, in whole or in part, of acting as a daycare facility, nursery or preschool, kindergarten, elementary, secondary or vocational-technical school, or any long-term care facility in which elderly persons are housed, in which case it shall be a class F felony. Any violation of paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall be a class F felony. Notwithstanding any provision of this subsection to the contrary, a first offense of paragraph (a)(2) of this section by a person 17 years old or younger shall be a class A misdemeanor.

(c) In addition to the penalties otherwise authorized by law, any person convicted of an offense in violation of paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall:

(1) Pay a fine of not less than $1,000 nor more than $2,500, which fine cannot be suspended; and

(2) Be sentenced to perform a minimum of 100 hours of community service.

(d) In addition to the penalties otherwise authorized by law, any person convicted of an offense in violation of paragraph (a)(3) of this section shall pay a fine of not less than $2,000, which fine cannot be suspended.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 621; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 330, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 126, §§ 5, 6; 73 Del. Laws, c. 255, § 1.;

§ 622. Hoax device; class F felony.

(a) Whoever possesses, transports, uses or places or causes another to knowingly or unknowingly possess, transport, use or place any hoax device with the intent to cause anxiety, unrest, fear or personal discomfort to any person or group of persons shall be guilty of a class F felony.

(b) For the purposes of this section the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Destructive device" means any explosive, incendiary, or chemical material or over-pressure device which will rapidly expand in a manner to project material outward at such a rate to cause injury to persons or damage to property.

(2) "Explosive" means any chemical compound, or other substance or containing oxidizing and combustible units or other ingredients in such proportions or quantities that ignition, fire, friction, concussion, percussion, or detonator may produce an explosion capable of causing injury to persons or damage to property.

(3) "Hoax device" shall mean any object or item that would cause a person to reasonably believe that such object or item is or contains a destructive device, Molotov cocktail, incendiary device, or over-pressure device which could cause injury or death.

(4) "Incendiary device" means any item designed to ignite by hand, chemical reaction, timer or by spontaneous combustion and is not designed for lawful purposes or use whatsoever, or any lawful use or purpose has been terminated.

(5) "Molotov cocktail" means a makeshift incendiary bomb made of a breakable container filled with flammable liquid and provided with a wick composed of any substance capable of bringing flame into contact with a wick composed of any substance capable of bringing flame into contact with a liquid.

(6) "Over-pressure device" means a frangible container filled with an explosive gas, chemical or combination of materials, which is designed or constructed so as to cause the container to break or fracture in a manner which is capable of causing death, bodily harm, or property damage.

74 Del. Laws, c. 420, § 1.;

§§ 623, 624. [Reserved.]

§ 625. Unlawfully administering drugs; class A misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of unlawfully administering drugs when, for a purpose other than lawful medical or therapeutic treatment, the person intentionally causes stupor, unconsciousness or other alteration of the physical or mental condition of another person by administering to the other person, without consent, a drug.

Unlawfully administering drugs is a class A misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 625; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 626. Unlawfully administering controlled substance or counterfeit substance or narcotic drugs; class G felony.

A person is guilty of unlawfully administering a controlled substance or counterfeit substance or narcotic drugs when, for a purpose other than lawful medical or therapeutic treatment, the person intentionally introduces or causes introduction into the body of another person, without consent, a controlled substance or counterfeit substance or narcotic drug.

Unlawfully administering controlled substance or counterfeit substance or narcotic drugs is a class G felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 626; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 627. Prohibited acts as to substances releasing vapors or fumes; unclassified misdemeanor.

No person shall:

(1) Intentionally smell or inhale the vapors or fumes from any substance having the property of releasing vapors or fumes for the purpose of producing a condition of intoxication, inebriation, exhilaration, stupefaction or lethargy or for the purpose of dulling the brain or nervous system; provided, that nothing in this section shall prohibit the inhalation of the vapors or fumes of any anesthesia for medical or dental purposes;

(2) Sell or offer to sell to any person any material, product or article of commerce containing any substance having a property of releasing vapors or fumes, if the person has knowledge or is in the possession of such facts that the person should have knowledge that the material, product or article of commerce sold or offered will be used for the purpose of committing any of the acts proscribed in paragraph (1) of this section;

(3) Purchase or offer to purchase for the person or any other person any material, product or article of commerce containing any substance having the property of releasing vapors and fumes if such purchase or offer to purchase is made for the purpose of committing any of the acts proscribed in paragraph (1) of this section.

Any violation of this section shall be an unclassified misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 627; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 286, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 628. Vehicular assault in the second degree; class B misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of vehicular assault in the second degree when:

(1) While in the course of driving or operating a motor vehicle, the person's criminally negligent driving or operation of said vehicle causes serious physical injury to another person; or

(2) While in the course of driving or operating a motor vehicle and under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with a prohibited alcohol or drug content, as defined by § 4177 of Title 21, the person's negligent driving or operation of said vehicle causes physical injury to another person.

Vehicular assault in the second degree is a class B misdemeanor.

63 Del. Laws, c. 88, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 333, § 5; 75 Del. Laws, c. 315, § 7.;

§ 629. Vehicular assault in the first degree; class F felony.

A person is guilty of vehicular assault in the first degree when while in the course of driving or operating a motor vehicle and under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with a prohibited alcohol or drug content, as defined by § 4177 of Title 21, the person's negligent driving or operation of said vehicle causes serious physical injury to another person.

Vehicular assault in the first degree is a class F felony.

63 Del. Laws, c. 88, § 2; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 68 Del. Laws, c. 361, §§ 1, 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 333, § 5; 75 Del. Laws, c. 315, § 7.;

§ 630. Vehicular homicide in the second degree; class F felony; minimum sentence; juvenile offenders.

(a) A person is guilty of vehicular homicide in the second degree when:

(1) While in the course of driving or operating a motor vehicle, the person's criminally negligent driving or operation of said vehicle causes the death of another person; or

(2) While in the course of driving or operating a motor vehicle, under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with a prohibited alcohol or drug content, as defined by § 4177 of Title 21, the person's negligent driving or operation of said vehicle causes the death of another person.

Vehicular homicide in the second degree is a class F felony.

(b) The minimum sentence required by paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall be 1 year, notwithstanding § 4205(b)(6) of this title. The minimum sentence shall not be subject to suspension, and no person convicted under this section shall be eligible for probation, parole, furlough, work release or supervised custody during the first year of such sentence.

(c) Every person charged under this section after having reached their 16th birthday, shall be treated for purposes of trial or other disposition of the charge, including but not limited to sentencing, as an adult, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of statutes governing the Family Court, or any other state law, except that the mandatory minimum sentencing provisions of subsection (b) of this section and § 630A(b) of this title shall not apply to juveniles. Any such case involving a juvenile shall be subject to the transfer provisions of § 1011 of Title 10. Any period of incarceration imposed upon a juvenile by operation of this section shall be served in a juvenile correctional facility until the person attains their 18th birthday, at which time the person shall be transferred to the appropriate adult correctional institution or jail to serve any remaining portion of the sentence.

63 Del. Laws, c. 88, § 3; 65 Del. Laws, c. 357, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 67 Del. Laws, c. 246, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 333, § 5; 75 Del. Laws, c. 315, § 7.;

§ 630A. Vehicular homicide in the first degree; class E felony; minimum sentence; juvenile offenders.

(a) A person is guilty of vehicular homicide in the first degree when while in the course of driving or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with a prohibited alcohol or drug content, as defined by § 4177 of Title 21, the person's criminally negligent driving or operation of said vehicle causes the death of another person.

Vehicular homicide in the first degree is a class E felony.

(b) The minimum sentence required by this section shall be 2 years, notwithstanding § 4205(b)(5) of this title. The minimum sentence shall not be subject to suspension, and no person convicted under this section shall be eligible for probation, parole, furlough, work release or supervised custody during the first 18 months of such sentence.

(c) Every person charged under this section after having reached their 16th birthday, shall be treated for purposes of trial or other disposition of the charge, including but not limited to sentencing, as an adult, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of statutes governing the Family Court, or any other state law, except that the mandatory minimum sentencing provisions of subsection (b) of this section and § 630(b) of this title shall not apply to juveniles. Any such case involving a juvenile shall be subject to the transfer provisions of § 1011 of Title 10. Any period of incarceration imposed upon a juvenile by operation of this section shall be served in a juvenile correctional facility until the person attains their 18th birthday, at which time the person shall be transferred to the appropriate adult correctional institution or jail to serve any remaining portion of the sentence.

63 Del. Laws, c. 88, § 4; 65 Del. Laws, c. 357, § 2; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 67 Del. Laws, c. 246, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 333, § 5; 75 Del. Laws, c. 315, § 7.;

§ 631. Criminally negligent homicide; class E felony.

A person is guilty of criminally negligent homicide when, with criminal negligence, the person causes the death of another person.

Criminally negligent homicide is a class E felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 631; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 632. Manslaughter; class B felony.

A person is guilty of manslaughter when:

(1) The person recklessly causes the death of another person; or

(2) With intent to cause serious physical injury to another person the person causes the death of such person, employing means which would to a reasonable person in the defendant's situation, knowing the facts known to the defendant, seem likely to cause death; or

(3) The person intentionally causes the death of another person under circumstances which do not constitute murder because the person acts under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance; or

(4) The person commits upon a female an abortion which causes her death, unless such abortion is a therapeutic abortion and the death is not the result of reckless conduct; or

(5) The person intentionally causes another person to commit suicide.

Manslaughter is a class B felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 632; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 106, § 2.;

§ 633. Murder by abuse or neglect in the second degree; class B felony.

(a) A person is guilty of murder by abuse or neglect in the second degree when, with criminal negligence, the person causes the death of a child:

(1) Through an act of abuse and/or neglect of such child; or

(2) When the person has engaged in a previous pattern of abuse and/or neglect of such child.

(b) For the purpose of this section:

(1) "Abuse" and "neglect" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 1103 of this title.

(2) "Child" shall refer to any person who has not yet reached that person's 14th birthday.

(3) "Previous pattern" of abuse and/or neglect shall mean 2 or more incidents of conduct:

a. That constitute an act of abuse and/or neglect; and

b. Are not so closely related to each other or connected in point of time and place that they constitute a single event.

(c) A conviction is not required for an act of abuse or neglect to be used in prosecution of a matter under this section, including an act used as proof of a previous pattern as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. A conviction for any act of abuse or neglect, including one which may be relied upon to establish a previous pattern of abuse and/or neglect does not preclude prosecution under this section. Prosecution under this section does not preclude prosecution under any other section of the Code.

(d) Murder by abuse or neglect in the second degree is a class B felony. Notwithstanding any provision of this title to the contrary, the minimum sentence for a person convicted of murder by abuse or neglect in the second degree in violation of this section shall be 10 years at Level V.

70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 266, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 382, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 197, §§ 2-4.;

§ 634. Murder by abuse or neglect in the first degree; class A felony.

(a) A person is guilty of murder by abuse or neglect in the first degree when the person recklessly causes the death of a child:

(1) Through an act of abuse and/or neglect of such child; or

(2) When the person has engaged in a previous pattern of abuse and/or neglect of such child.

(b) For the purpose of this section:

(1) "Abuse" and "neglect" shall have the same meaning as set forth in § 1103 of this title.

(2) "Child" shall refer to any person who has not yet reached that person's 14th birthday.

(3) "Previous pattern" of abuse and/or neglect shall mean 2 or more incidents of conduct:

a. That constitute an act of abuse and/or neglect; and

b. Are not so closely related to each other or connected in point of time and place that they constitute a single event.

(c) A conviction is not required for an act of abuse or neglect to be used in prosecution of a matter under this section including an act used as proof of the previous pattern as defined in paragraph (b)(3) of this section. A conviction for any act of abuse or neglect including one which may be relied upon to establish the previous pattern of abuse and/or neglect does not preclude prosecution under this section. Prosecution under this section does not preclude prosecution under any other section of the Code.

(d) Murder by abuse or neglect in the first degree is a class A felony.

70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 266, § 2; 72 Del. Laws, c. 197, §§ 5, 6.;

§ 635. Murder in the second degree; class A felony.

A person is guilty of murder in the second degree when:

(1) The person recklessly causes the death of another person under circumstances which manifest a cruel, wicked and depraved indifference to human life; or

(2) While engaged in the commission of, or attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit any felony, the person, with criminal negligence, causes the death of another person.

Murder in the second degree is a class A felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 635; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 59 Del. Laws, c. 203, § 35; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 67 Del. Laws, c. 350, § 29; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 106, § 3; 74 Del. Laws, c. 246, § 1.;

§ 636. Murder in the first degree; class A felony.

(a) A person is guilty of murder in the first degree when:

(1) The person intentionally causes the death of another person;

(2) While engaged in the commission of, or attempt to commit, or flight after committing or attempting to commit any felony, the person recklessly causes the death of another person.

(3) The person intentionally causes another person to commit suicide by force or duress;

(4) The person recklessly causes the death of a law-enforcement officer, corrections employee, fire fighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, fire marshal or fire police officer while such officer is in the lawful performance of duties;

(5) The person causes the death of another person by the use of or detonation of any bomb or similar destructive device;

(6) The person causes the death of another person in order to avoid or prevent the lawful arrest of any person, or in the course of and in furtherance of the commission or attempted commission of escape in the second degree or escape after conviction.

(b) Murder in the first degree is a class A felony and shall be punished as provided in § 4209 of this title.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 636; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 59 Del. Laws, c. 284, § 1; 63 Del. Laws, c. 354, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 269, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 2; 74 Del. Laws, c. 246, §§ 2, 3; 77 Del. Laws, c. 191, § 1.;

§§ 637-640. [Reserved.]

§ 641. Extreme emotional distress.

The fact that the accused intentionally caused the death of another person under the influence of extreme emotional distress is a mitigating circumstance, reducing the crime of murder in the first degree as defined by § 636 of this title to the crime of manslaughter as defined by § 632 of this title. The fact that the accused acted under the influence of extreme emotional distress must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence. The accused must further prove by a preponderance of the evidence that there is a reasonable explanation or excuse for the existence of the extreme emotional distress. The reasonableness of the explanation or excuse shall be determined from the viewpoint of a reasonable person in the accused's situation under the circumstances as the accused believed them to be. Extreme emotional distress is not reasonably explained or excused when it is caused or occasioned by the accused's own mental disturbance for which the accused was culpably responsible, or by any provocation, event or situation for which the accused was culpably responsible, or when there is no causal relationship between the provocation, event or situation which caused the extreme emotional distress and the victim of the murder. Evidence of voluntary intoxication shall not be admissible for the purpose of showing that the accused was acting under the influence of extreme emotional distress.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 641; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 127, § 1.;

§§ 642-644. [Reserved.]

§ 645. Promoting suicide; class F felony.

A person is guilty of promoting suicide when the person intentionally causes or aids another person to attempt suicide, or when the person intentionally aids another person to commit suicide.

Promoting suicide is a class F felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 645; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§§ 646-650. [Reserved.]

§ 651. Abortion; class F felony.

A person is guilty of abortion when the person commits upon a pregnant female an abortion which causes the miscarriage of the female, unless the abortion is a therapeutic abortion.

Abortion is a class F felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 651; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 652. Self-abortion; class A misdemeanor.

A female is guilty of self-abortion when she, being pregnant, commits or submits to an abortion upon herself which causes her abortion, unless the abortion is a therapeutic abortion.

Self-abortion is a class A misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 652; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 653. Issuing abortional articles; class B misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of issuing abortional articles when the person manufactures, sells or delivers any instrument, article, medicine, drug or substance with intent that the same be used in committing an abortion upon a female in circumstances which would constitute a crime defined by this Criminal Code.

Issuing abortional articles is a class B misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 653; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 654. "Abortion" defined.

"Abortion" means an act committed upon or with respect to a female, whether by another person or by the female herself, whether directly upon her body or by the administering, taking or prescription of drugs or in any other manner, with intent to cause a miscarriage of such female.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 654; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§§ 655-760. [Reserved.]

§ 761. Definitions generally applicable to sexual offenses.

(a) "Cognitive disability" means a developmental disability that substantially impairs an individual's cognitive abilities including, but not limited to, delirium, dementia and other organic brain disorders for which there is an identifiable pathologic condition, as well as nonorganic brain disorders commonly called functional disorders. "Cognitive disability" also includes conditions of mental retardation, severe cerebral palsy, and any other condition found to be closely related to mental retardation because such condition results in the impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of persons who have been diagnosed with mental retardation, or such condition requires treatment and services similar to those required for persons who have been diagnosed with mental retardation.

(b) "Cunnilingus" means any oral contact with the female genitalia.

(d) "Object" means any item, device, instrument, substance or any part of the body. It does not mean a medical instrument used by a licensed medical doctor or nurse for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment.

(e) "Position of trust, authority or supervision over a child" includes, but is not limited to:

(1) Familial, guardianship or custodial authority or supervision; or

(2) A teacher, coach, counselor, advisor, mentor or any other person providing instruction or educational services to a child or children, whether such person is compensated or acting as a volunteer; or

(3) A babysitter, child care provider, or child care aide, whether such person is compensated or acting as a volunteer; or

(4) A health professional, meaning any person who is licensed or who holds himself or herself out to be licensed or who otherwise provides professional physical or mental health services, diagnosis, treatment or counseling which shall include, but not be limited to, doctors of medicine and osteopathy, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, chiropractors, psychologists, social workers, medical technicians, mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, marriage and family counselors or therapists and hypnotherapists, whether such person is compensated or acting as a volunteer; or

(5) Clergy, including but not limited to any minister, pastor, rabbi, lay religious leader, pastoral counselor or any other person having regular direct contact with children through affiliation with a church or religious institution, whether such person is compensated or acting as a volunteer; or

(6) Any law-enforcement officer, as that term is defined in § 222 of this title, and including any person acting as an officer or counselor at a correctional or counseling institution, facility or organization, whether such person is compensated or acting as a volunteer; or

(7) Any other person who because of that person's familial relationship, profession, employment, vocation, avocation or volunteer service has regular direct contact with a child or children and in the course thereof assumes responsibility, whether temporarily or permanently, for the care or supervision of a child or children.

(f) "Sexual contact" means:

(1) Any intentional touching by the defendant of the anus, breast, buttocks or genitalia of another person; or

(2) Any intentional touching of another person with the defendant's anus, breast, buttocks or genitalia; or

(3) Intentionally causing or allowing another person to touch the defendant's anus, breast, buttocks or genitalia

which touching, under the circumstances as viewed by a reasonable person, is intended to be sexual in nature. Sexual contact shall also include touching when covered by clothing.

(g) "Sexual intercourse" means:

(1) Any act of physical union of the genitalia or anus of 1 person with the mouth, anus or genitalia of another person. It occurs upon any penetration, however slight. Ejaculation is not required. This offense encompasses the crimes commonly known as rape and sodomy; or

(2) Any act of cunnilingus or fellatio regardless of whether penetration occurs. Ejaculation is not required.

(h) "Sexual offense" means any offense defined by §§ 763-780 and §§ 1108-1112A, 1352(2) and 1353(2) of this title.

(i) "Sexual penetration" means:

(1) The unlawful placement of an object, as defined in subsection (d) of this section, inside the anus or vagina of another person; or

(2) The unlawful placement of the genitalia or any sexual device inside the mouth of another person.

(j) "Without consent" means:

(1) The defendant compelled the victim to submit by any act of coercion as defined in §§ 791 and 792 of this title, or by force, by gesture, or by threat of death, physical injury, pain or kidnapping to be inflicted upon the victim or a third party, or by any other means which would compel a reasonable person under the circumstances to submit. It is not required that the victim resist such force or threat to the utmost, or to resist if resistance would be futile or foolhardy, but the victim need resist only to the extent that it is reasonably necessary to make the victim's refusal to consent known to the defendant; or

(2) The defendant knew that the victim was unconscious, asleep or otherwise unaware that a sexual act was being performed; or

(3) The defendant knew that the victim suffered from a cognitive disability, mental illness or mental defect which rendered the victim incapable of appraising the nature of the sexual conduct or incapable of consenting; or

(4) Where the defendant is a health professional, as defined herein, or a minister, priest, rabbi or other member of a religious organization engaged in pastoral counseling, the commission of acts of sexual contact, sexual penetration or sexual intercourse by such person shall be deemed to be without consent of the victim where such acts are committed under the guise of providing professional diagnosis, counseling or treatment and where at the times of such acts the victim reasonably believed the acts were for medically or professionally appropriate diagnosis, counseling or treatment, such that resistance by the victim could not reasonably have been manifested. For purposes of this paragraph, "health professional" includes all individuals who are licensed or who hold themselves out to be licensed or who otherwise provide professional physical or mental health services, diagnosis, treatment or counseling and shall include, but not be limited to, doctors of medicine and osteopathy, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, chiropractors, psychologists, social workers, medical technicians, mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, marriage and family counselors or therapists and hypnotherapists; or

(5) The defendant had substantially impaired the victim's power to appraise or control the victim's own conduct by administering or employing without the other person's knowledge or against the other person's will, drugs, intoxicants or other means for the purpose of preventing resistance.

(k) A child who has not yet reached that child's sixteenth birthday is deemed unable to consent to a sexual act with a person more than 4 years older than said child. Children who have not yet reached their twelfth birthday are deemed unable to consent to a sexual act under any circumstances.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 773; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 60 Del. Laws, c. 416, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 56; 65 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 269, §§ 27, 28; 69 Del. Laws, c. 44, § 1; 69 Del. Laws, c. 440, §§ 1, 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 285, §§ 3-7; 71 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 6; 72 Del. Laws, c. 109, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 345, § 2; 75 Del. Laws, c. 392, § 2; 76 Del. Laws, c. 66, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 150, §§ 1-3; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, § 1.;

§ 762. Provisions generally applicable to sexual offenses.

(a) Mistake as to age. -- Whenever in the definition of a sexual offense, the criminality of conduct or the degree of the offense depends on whether the person has reached that person's sixteenth birthday, it is no defense that the actor did not know the person's age, or that the actor reasonably believed that the person had reached that person's sixteenth birthday.

(b) Gender. -- Unless a contrary meaning is clearly required, the male pronoun shall be deemed to refer to both male and female.

(c) Separate acts of sexual contact, penetration and sexual intercourse. -- Nothing in this title precludes a defendant from being charged with separate offenses when multiple acts of sexual contact, penetration or intercourse are committed against the same victim.

(d) Teenage defendant. -- As to sexual offenses in which the victim's age is an element of the offense because the victim has not yet reached that victim's sixteenth birthday, where the person committing the sexual act is no more than 4 years older than the victim, it is an affirmative defense that the victim consented to the act "knowingly" as defined in § 231 of this title. Sexual conduct pursuant to this section will not be a crime. This affirmative defense will not apply if the victim had not yet reached that victim's twelfth birthday at the time of the act.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 772; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 59 Del. Laws, c. 547, § 3; 61 Del. Laws, c. 56, § 3; 65 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 269, §§ 33, 34; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 285, §§ 8, 9; 75 Del. Laws, c. 392, § 3.;

§ 763. Sexual harassment; unclassified misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of sexual harassment when:

(1) The person threatens to engage in conduct likely to result in the commission of a sexual offense against any person; or

(2) The person suggests, solicits, requests, commands, importunes or otherwise attempts to induce another person to have sexual contact or sexual intercourse or unlawful sexual penetration with the actor, knowing that the actor is thereby likely to cause annoyance, offense or alarm to that person.

Sexual harassment is an unclassified misdemeanor.

65 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 764. Indecent exposure in the second degree; unclassified misdemeanor.

(a) A male is guilty of indecent exposure in the second degree if he exposes his genitals or buttocks under circumstances in which he knows his conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to another person.

(b) A female is guilty of indecent exposure in the second degree if she exposes her genitals, breast or buttocks under circumstances in which she knows her conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm to another person.

Indecent exposure in the second degree is an unclassified misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 768; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 269, § 17; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 765. Indecent exposure in the first degree; class A misdemeanor.

(a) A male is guilty of indecent exposure in the first degree if he exposes his genitals or buttocks to a person who is less than 16 years of age under circumstances in which he knows his conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm.

(b) A female is guilty of indecent exposure in the first degree if she exposes her genitals, breast or buttocks to a person who is less than 16 years of age under circumstances in which she knows her conduct is likely to cause affront or alarm.

Indecent exposure in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 768; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 269, § 18; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 766. Incest; class A misdemeanor.

(a) A person is guilty of incest if the person engages in sexual intercourse with another person with whom the person has one of the following relationships:

A male and his child.

A male and his parent.

A male and his brother.

A male and his sister.

A male and his grandchild.

A male and his niece or nephew.

A male and his father's sister or brother.

A male and his mother's sister or brother.

A male and his father's wife.

A male and his wife's child.

A male and the child of his wife's son or daughter.

A female and her parent.

A female and her child.

A female and her brother.

A female and her sister.

A female and her grandchild.

A female and her niece or nephew.

A female and her father's sister or brother.

A female and her mother's sister or brother.

A female and her mother's husband.

A female and her husband's child.

A female and the child of her husband's son or daughter.

(b) The relationships referred to herein include blood relationships without regard to legitimacy and relationships by adoption.

Incest is a class A misdemeanor and is an offense within the original jurisdiction of the Family Court.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 771; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 767. Unlawful sexual contact in the third degree; class A misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of unlawful sexual contact in the third degree when the person has sexual contact with another person or causes the victim to have sexual contact with the person or a third person and the person knows that the contact is either offensive to the victim or occurs without the victim's consent.

Unlawful sexual contact in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 761; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 269, § 19; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 768. Unlawful sexual contact in the second degree; class F felony.

A person is guilty of unlawful sexual contact in the second degree when the person intentionally has sexual contact with another person who is less than 18 years of age or causes the victim to have sexual contact with the person or a third person.

Unlawful sexual contact in the second degree is a class F felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, §§ 761, 762; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 269, § 20; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 364, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 33.;

§ 769. Unlawful sexual contact in the first degree; class D felony.

(a) A person is guilty of unlawful sexual contact in the first degree when:

(1) In the course of committing unlawful sexual contact in the third degree or in the course of committing unlawful sexual contact in the second degree, or during the immediate flight from the crime, or during an attempt to prevent the reporting of the crime, the person causes physical injury to the victim or the person displays what appears to be a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; or represents by word or conduct that the person is in possession or control of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

(2) [Repealed.]

(3) The person intentionally has sexual contact with another person who is less than 13 years of age or causes the victim to have sexual contact with the person or a third person.

(b) Unlawful sexual contact in the first degree is a class D felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 767; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 61 Del. Laws, c. 56, § 2; 65 Del. Laws, c. 494, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 269, § 21; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 93, § 3; 75 Del. Laws, c. 392, § 1; 76 Del. Laws, c. 364, § 2; 77 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 34; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, § 7.;

§ 770. Rape in the fourth degree; class C felony.

(a) A person is guilty of rape in the fourth degree when the person:

(1) Intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with another person, and the victim has not yet reached that victim's sixteenth birthday; or

(2) Intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with another person, and the victim has not yet reached that victim's eighteenth birthday, and the person is 30 years of age or older, except that such intercourse shall not be unlawful if the victim and person are married at the time of such intercourse; or

(3) Intentionally engages in sexual penetration with another person under any of the following circumstances:

a. The sexual penetration occurs without the victim's consent; or

b. The victim has not reached that victim's sixteenth birthday.

(4) [Repealed.]

(b) Paragraph (a)(3) of this section does not apply to a licensed medical doctor or nurse who places 1 or more fingers or an object inside a vagina or anus for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment or to a law-enforcement officer who is engaged in the lawful performance of his or her duties.

Rape in the fourth degree is a class C felony.

71 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 10; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, §§ 7, 9.;

§ 771. Rape in the third degree; class B felony.

(a) A person is guilty of rape in the third degree when the person:

(1) Intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with another person, and the victim has not reached that victim's sixteenth birthday and the person is at least 10 years older than the victim, or the victim has not yet reached that victim's fourteenth birthday and the person has reached that person's nineteenth birthday and is not otherwise subject to prosecution pursuant to § 772 or § 773 of this title; or

(2) Intentionally engages in sexual penetration with another person under any of the following circumstances:

a. The sexual penetration occurs without the victim's consent and during the commission of the crime, or during the immediate flight from the crime, or during an attempt to prevent the reporting of the crime, the person causes physical injury or serious mental or emotional injury to the victim; or

b. The victim has not reached that victim's sixteenth birthday and during the commission of the crime, or during the immediate flight from the crime, or during an attempt to prevent the reporting of the crime, the person causes physical injury or serious mental or emotional injury to the victim.

(3) [Repealed.]

(b) Paragraph (a)(2) of this section does not apply to a licensed medical doctor or nurse who places 1 or more fingers or an object inside a vagina or anus for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment, or to a law-enforcement officer who is engaged in the lawful performance of his or her duties.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, in any case in which a violation of subsection (a) of this section has resulted in the birth of a child who is in the custody and care of the victim or the victim's legal guardian or guardians, the court shall order that the defendant, as a condition of any probation imposed pursuant to a conviction under this section, timely pay any child support ordered by the Family Court for such child.

(d) Nothing in this section shall preclude a separate charge, conviction and sentence for any other crime set forth in this title, or in the Delaware Code.

Rape in the third degree is a class B felony.

71 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 11; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 271, §§ 4-6; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, §§ 7, 8.;

§ 772. Rape in the second degree; class B felony.

(a) A person is guilty of rape in the second degree when the person:

(1) Intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with another person, and the intercourse occurs without the victim's consent; or

(2) Intentionally engages in sexual penetration with another person under any of the following circumstances:

a. The sexual penetration occurs without the victim's consent and during the commission of the crime, or during the immediate flight following the commission of the crime, or during an attempt to prevent the reporting of the crime, the person causes serious physical injury to the victim; or

b. The sexual penetration occurs without the victim's consent, and was facilitated by or occurred during the course of the commission or attempted commission of:

1. Any felony; or

2. Any of the following misdemeanors: reckless endangering in the second degree; assault in the third degree; terroristic threatening; unlawfully administering drugs; unlawful imprisonment in the second degree; coercion or criminal trespass in the first, second or third degree; or

c. The victim has not yet reached that victim's sixteenth birthday and during the commission of the crime, or during the immediate flight from the crime, or during an attempt to prevent the reporting of the crime, the person causes serious physical injury to the victim; or

d. The sexual penetration occurs without the victim's consent and during the commission of the crime, or during the immediate flight from the crime, or during an attempt to prevent the reporting of the crime, the person displays what appears to be a deadly weapon or represents by word or conduct that the person is in possession or control of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; or

e. The victim has not yet reached that victim's sixteenth birthday and during the commission of the crime, or during the immediate flight from the crime, or during an attempt to prevent the reporting of the crime, the person displays what appears to be a deadly weapon or represents by word or conduct that the person is in possession or control of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; or

f. The sexual penetration occurs without the victim's consent, and a principal-accomplice relationship within the meaning set forth in § 271 of this title existed between the defendant and another person or persons with respect to the commission of the crime; or

g. The victim has not yet reached that victim's twelfth birthday, and the defendant has reached that defendant's eighteenth birthday.

h. [Repealed.]

(b) Nothing in this section shall preclude a separate charge, conviction and sentence for any other crime set forth in this title, or in the Delaware Code.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this title to the contrary, the minimum sentence for a person convicted of rape in the second degree in violation of this section shall be 10 years at Level V.

Rape in the second degree is a class B felony.

71 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 12; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 93, § 3; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, § 7.;

§ 773. Rape in the first degree; class A felony.

(a) A person is guilty of rape in the first degree when the person intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with another person and any of the following circumstances exist:

(1) The sexual intercourse occurs without the victim's consent and during the commission of the crime, or during the immediate flight following the commission of the crime, or during an attempt to prevent the reporting of the crime, the person causes physical injury or serious mental or emotional injury to the victim; or

(2) The sexual intercourse occurs without the victim's consent and it was facilitated by or occurred during the course of the commission or attempted commission of:

a. Any felony; or

b. Any of the following misdemeanors: reckless endangering in the second degree; assault in the third degree; terroristic threatening; unlawfully administering drugs; unlawful imprisonment in the second degree; coercion; or criminal trespass in the first, second or third degree; or

(3) In the course of the commission of rape in the second, third or fourth degree, or while in the immediate flight therefrom, the defendant displayed what appeared to be a deadly weapon or represents by word or conduct that the person is in possession or control of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; or

(4) The sexual intercourse occurs without the victim's consent, and a principal-accomplice relationship within the meaning set forth in § 271 of this title existed between the defendant and another person or persons with respect to the commission of the crime; or

(5) The victim has not yet reached that victim's twelfth birthday, and the defendant has reached that defendant's eighteenth birthday.

(6) [Repealed.]

(b) Nothing contained in this section shall preclude a separate charge, conviction and sentence for any other crime set forth in this title, or in the Delaware Code.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a person convicted of rape in the first degree shall be sentenced to life imprisonment without benefit of probation, parole or any other reduction if:

(1) The victim had not yet reached that victim's sixteenth birthday at the time of the offense and the person inflicts serious physical injury on the victim; or

(2) The person intentionally causes serious and prolonged disfigurement to the victim permanently, or intentionally destroys, amputates or permanently disables a member or organ of the victim's body; or

(3) The person is convicted of rape against 3 or more separate victims; or

(4) The person has previously been convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse in the first degree, rape in the second degree or rape in the first degree, or any equivalent offense under the laws of this State, any other state or the United States.

Rape in the first degree is a class A felony.

71 Del. Laws, c. 285, § 13; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 74 Del. Laws, c. 93, § 3; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, § 7.;

§ 774. Sexual extortion; class E felony.

A person is guilty of sexual extortion when the person intentionally compels or induces another person to engage in any sexual act involving contact, penetration or intercourse with the person or another or others by means of instilling in the victim a fear that, if such sexual act is not performed, the defendant or another will:

(1) Cause physical injury to anyone;

(2) Cause damage to property;

(3) Engage in other conduct constituting a crime;

(4) Accuse anyone of a crime or cause criminal charges to be instituted against anyone;

(5) Expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact, whether true or false, intending to subject anyone to hatred, contempt or ridicule;

(6) Falsely testify or provide information or withhold testimony or information with respect to another's legal claim or defense; or

(7) Perform any other act which is calculated to harm another person materially with respect to the other person's health, safety, business, calling, career, financial condition, reputation or personal relationships.

Sexual extortion is a class E felony.

68 Del. Laws, c. 379, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, §§ 2, 6.;

§ 775. Bestiality.

A person is guilty of bestiality when the person intentionally engages in any sexual act involving sexual contact, penetration or intercourse with the genitalia of an animal or intentionally causes another person to engage in any such sexual act with an animal for purposes of sexual gratification.

Bestiality is a class D felony.

69 Del. Laws, c. 91, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, § 6.;

§ 776. Continuous sexual abuse of a child; class B felony.

(a) A person is guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child when, either residing in the same home with the minor child or having recurring access to the child, the person intentionally engages in 3 or more acts of sexual conduct with a child under the age of 18 years of age over a period of time, not less than 3 months in duration.

(b) Sexual conduct under this section is defined as any of those criminal sexual acts defined under § 768, § 769, § 770, § 771, § 772, § 773, 777A, § 778, § 778A or § 1108 of this title.

(c) To convict under this section, the trier of fact, if a jury, need unanimously agree only that the requisite number of acts occurred, not on which acts constitute the requisite number.

(d) Continuous sexual abuse of a child is a class B felony.

69 Del. Laws, c. 442, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 75 Del. Laws, c. 392, § 4; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, §§ 3, 4, 6.;

§ 777. Dangerous crime against a child, definitions, sentences.

(a) A "dangerous crime against a child" is defined as any criminal sexual conduct against a minor under the age of 14 years as defined in §§ 770-773, § 777A, §§ 778-778A, or §§ 1108-1112A of this title. For purposes of this section only, and § 762(a) of this title to the contrary notwithstanding, the defendant may use as an affirmative defense that the defendant believed that the victim of the crime was over the age of 16 years of age.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this title, a person who is at least 18 years of age, or who has been tried as an adult and who is convicted of a dangerous crime against a child as defined in subsection (a) of this section, shall be guilty of a class B felony. For a second offense under this section, the Court shall impose a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.

(c) A person sentence pursuant to this section shall not be eligible for suspension of sentence, probation, pardon or release from confinement on any basis until the sentence imposed by the Court has been served.

70 Del. Laws, c. 124, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 467, § 7; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, §§ 5, 6.;

§ 777A. Sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child.

(a) A sex offender who knowingly commits any sexual offense against a child is guilty of sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child.

(b) For purposes of this section, the term "sex offender" shall mean any person registered or required to be registered pursuant to § § 4120(b)(1) and 4121(a)(4) of this title, or the laws of any other state, the United States or any territory of the United States.

(c) For purposes of this section, the term "sexual offense" shall mean any offense designated as a sexual offense by § 761(h) of this title.

(d) For purposes of this section, the term "child" shall mean any individual who has not reached that child's eighteenth birthday. If the underlying sexual offense involves an offense defined by §§ 1108, 1109, 1110, 1111 and 1112A of this title, the term "child" shall also mean any individual who is intended by the defendant to appear to be 14 years of age or less. A sex offender who knowingly possesses any material prohibited by § 1111 of this title is committing an offense against a child for purposes of this section.

(e) Sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child shall be punished as follows:

(1) If the underlying sexual offense is a misdemeanor, the crime of sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child shall be a class G felony except where the child against whom a sexual offense is committed is a child younger than 12 years of age in which case the crime of sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child shall be a class C felony;

(2) If the underlying sexual offense is a class C, D, E, F, or G felony, the crime of sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child shall be a felony 1 grade higher than the underlying offense except where the child against whom a sexual offense is committed is a child younger than 12 years of age in which case the crime of sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child shall be a class B felony;

(3) If the underlying sexual offense is a misdemeanor and the victim is under 18 years of age and has a cognitive disability, the crime of sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child shall be a class C felony;

(4) If the underlying sexual offense is a class C, D, E, F, or G felony and the victim is under 18 years of age and has a cognitive disability, the crime of sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child shall be a class B felony;

(5) If the underlying sexual offense is a class A or B felony, the crime of sex offender unlawful sexual conduct against a child shall be the same grade as the underlying offense, and the minimum sentence of imprisonment required for the underlying offense shall be doubled.

(f) The provisions of this section shall not apply if the defendant is also a child.

76 Del. Laws, c. 66, § 2; 77 Del. Laws, c. 149, §§ 1, 2; 77 Del. Laws, c. 150, § 4; 77 Del. Laws, c. 318, § 6.;

§ 778. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree; penalties.

A person is guilty of sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree when the person:

(1) Intentionally engages in sexual intercourse with a child who has not yet reached that child's own sixteenth birthday and the person stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, or is an invitee or designee of a person who stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child.

(2) Intentionally engages in sexual penetration with a child who has not yet reached that child's own sixteenth birthday and the person stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, or is an invitee or designee of a person who stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child.

(3) Intentionally engages in sexual intercourse or sexual penetration with a child who has reached that child's own sixteenth birthday but has not yet reached that child's own eighteenth birthday when the person is at least 4 years older than the child and the person stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, or is an invitee or designee of a person who stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child.

(4) Intentionally engages in sexual intercourse or sexual penetration with a child and the victim has reached that child's own sixteenth birthday but has not yet reached that child's own eighteenth birthday and the person stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, or is an invitee or designee of a person who stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child.

(5) Engages in an act of sexual extortion, as defined in § 774 of this title, against a child who has not yet reached that child's own sixteenth birthday and the person stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, or is an invitee or designee of a person who stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child.

(6)a.1. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree as set forth in paragraph (1) of this section is a class A felony.

2. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a person convicted of sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree as set forth in this paragraph shall be sentenced to life imprisonment without benefit of probation, parole or any other reduction if:

A. At the time of the offense the person inflicts serious physical injury on the victim; or

B. The person intentionally causes serious and prolonged disfigurement to the victim permanently, or intentionally destroys, amputates or permanently disables a member or organ of the victim's body; or

C. The person is convicted of sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree as set forth in this paragraph against 3 or more separate victims; or

D. The person has previously been convicted of sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree, unlawful sexual intercourse in the first degree, rape in the second degree or rape in the first degree, or any equivalent offense under the laws of this State, any other state or the United States.

b. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree as set forth in paragraph (2) of this section is a class B felony. Notwithstanding any provision of this title to the contrary, the minimum sentence for a person convicted of sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree as set forth in paragraph (2) of this section shall be 10 years at Level V.

c. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree as set forth in paragraph (3) of this section is a class B felony.

d. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree as set forth in paragraph (4) of this section is a class C felony.

e. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the first degree as set forth in paragraph (5) of this section is a class D felony.

(7) Nothing contained in this section shall preclude a separate charge, conviction and sentence for any other crime set forth in this title, or in the Delaware Code.

77 Del. Laws, c. 318, § 6; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 778A. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the second degree; penalties.

A person is guilty of sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the second degree when the person:

(1) Intentionally has sexual contact with a child who has not yet reached that child's sixteenth birthday or causes the child to have sexual contact with the person or a third person and the person stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, or is an invitee or designee of a person who stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child.

(2)a. Is a male who intentionally exposes his genitals or buttocks to a child who has not yet reached that child's sixteenth birthday under circumstances in which he knows his conduct is likely to cause annoyance, affront, offense or alarm when the person is at least 4 years older than the child and he stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, or is an invitee or designee of a person who stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child.

b. Is a female who intentionally exposes her genitals, breast or buttocks to a child who has not yet reached that child's sixteenth birthday under circumstances in which she knows her conduct is likely to cause annoyance, affront, offense or alarm when the person is at least 4 years older than the child and she stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, or is an invitee or designee of a person who stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child.

(3) Suggests, solicits, requests, commands, importunes or otherwise attempts to induce a child who has not yet reached that child's sixteenth birthday to have sexual contact or sexual intercourse or unlawful sexual penetration with the person or a third person, knowing that the person is thereby likely to cause annoyance, affront, offense or alarm to the child or another when the person is at least 4 years older than the child and the person stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child, or is an invitee or designee of a person who stands in a position of trust, authority or supervision over the child.

(4)a. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the second degree as set forth in paragraph (1) of this section is a class D felony.

b. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the second degree as set forth in paragraph (2) of this section is a class F felony.

c. Sexual abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust, authority or supervision in the second degree as set forth in paragraph (3) of this section is a class G felony.

(5) Nothing contained in this section shall preclude a separate charge, conviction and sentence for any other crime set forth in this title, or in the Delaware Code.

77 Del. Laws, c. 318, § 6; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 780. Female genital mutilation.

(a) A person is guilty of female genital mutilation when:

(1) A person knowingly circumcises, excises or infibulates the whole or any part of the labia majora, labia minora or clitoris of a female minor; or

(2) A parent, guardian or other person legally responsible or charged with the care or custody of a female minor allows the circumcision, excision or infibulation, in whole or in part, of such minor's labia majora, labia minora or clitoris.

(b) Female genital mutilation is a class E felony.

(c) It is not a defense to a violation that the conduct described in subsection (a) of this section above is required as a matter of custom, ritual or standard practice, or that the minor on whom it is performed or the minor's parent or legal guardian consented to the procedure.

(d) A surgical procedure is not a violation of this section if the procedure is:

(1) Necessary to the health of the minor on whom it is performed and is performed by a licensed physician under § 1720 of Title 24 or a physician-in-training under the supervision of a licensed physician; or

(2) Performed on a minor who is in labor or who has just given birth and is performed for medical purposes connected with that labor or birth by a licensed physician under § 1720 of Title 24 or a physician-in-training under the supervision of a licensed physician, or a licensed midwife under § 3336 of Title 18.

70 Del. Laws, c. 438, § 1.;

§ 781. Unlawful imprisonment in the second degree; class A misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of unlawful imprisonment in the second degree when the person knowingly and unlawfully restrains another person.

Unlawful imprisonment in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 781; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 782. Unlawful imprisonment in the first degree; class G felony.

A person is guilty of unlawful imprisonment in the first degree when the person knowingly and unlawfully restrains another person under circumstances which expose that person to the risk of serious physical injury.

Unlawful imprisonment in the first degree is a class G felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 782; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 783. Kidnapping in the second degree; class C felony.

A person is guilty of kidnapping in the second degree when the person unlawfully restrains another person with any of the following purposes:

(1) To hold the victim for ransom or reward; or

(2) To use the victim as a shield or hostage; or

(3) To facilitate the commission of any felony or flight thereafter; or

(4) To inflict physical injury upon the victim, or to violate or abuse the victim sexually; or

(5) To terrorize the victim or a third person; or

(6) To take or entice any child less than 18 years of age from the custody of the child's parent, guardian or lawful custodian;

and the actor voluntarily releases the victim alive, unharmed and in a safe place prior to trial.

Kidnapping in the second degree is a class C felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 783; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 59 Del. Laws, c. 547, § 5; 66 Del. Laws, c. 398, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 35.;

§ 783A. Kidnapping in the first degree; class B felony.

A person is guilty of kidnapping in the first degree when the person unlawfully restrains another person with any of the following purposes:

(1) To hold the victim for ransom or reward; or

(2) To use the victim as a shield or hostage; or

(3) To facilitate the commission of any felony or flight thereafter; or

(4) To inflict physical injury upon the victim, or to violate or abuse the victim sexually; or

(5) To terrorize the victim or a third person; or

(6) To take or entice any child less than 18 years of age from the custody of the child's parent, guardian or lawful custodian;

and the actor does not voluntarily release the victim alive, unharmed and in a safe place prior to trial.

Kidnapping in the first degree is a class B felony.

59 Del. Laws, c. 547, § 5; 66 Del. Laws, c. 398, § 2; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 77 Del. Laws, c. 148, § 36.;

§ 784. Defense to unlawful imprisonment and kidnapping.

In any prosecution for unlawful imprisonment or kidnapping it is an affirmative defense that the accused was a relative of the victim, and the accused's sole purpose was to assume custody of the victim. In that case, the liability of the accused, if any, is governed by § 785 of this title, and the accused may be convicted under § 785 when indicted for unlawful imprisonment or kidnapping.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 784; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 785. Interference with custody; class G felony; class A misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of interference with custody when:

(1) Being a relative of a child less than 16 years old, intending to hold the child permanently or for a prolonged period and knowing that the person has no legal right to do so, the person takes or entices the child from the child's lawful custodian; or

(2) Knowing that the person has no legal right to do so, the person takes or entices from lawful custody any incompetent person or other person entrusted by authority of law to the custody of another person or an institution.

Interference with custody is a class A misdemeanor except that if the person who interferes with the custody of a child thereafter causes the removal of said child from Delaware, it is a class G felony.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 785; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 63 Del. Laws, c. 268, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 786. Kidnapping and related offenses; definitions.

(a) "Harm" to a kidnap victim, in addition to its ordinary meaning, includes rape, unlawful sexual intercourse, unlawful sexual penetration or unlawful sexual contact, even if such rape, unlawful sexual intercourse, unlawful sexual penetration or unlawful sexual contact is not accompanied by physical violence.

(b) "Relative" means a parent, ancestor, brother, sister, uncle or aunt.

(c) "Restrain" means to restrict another person's movements intentionally in such a manner as to interfere substantially with the person's liberty by moving the person from 1 place to another, or by confining the person either in the place where the restriction commences or in a place to which the person has been moved, without consent. A person is moved or confined "without consent" when the movement or confinement is accomplished by physical force, intimidation or deception, or by any means, including acquiescence of the victim, if the victim is a child less than 16 years old or an incompetent person and the parent, guardian or other person or institution having lawful control or custody of the person has not acquiesced in the movement or confinement.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 786; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 269, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 787. Trafficking of persons and involuntary servitude; class F felony; class E felony; class C felony; class B felony; class A felony.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Blackmail" is to be given its ordinary meaning and includes but is not limited to a threat to expose any secret tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule;

(2) "Commercial sexual activity" means any sex act on account of which anything of value is given, promised to, or received by any person;

(3) "Forced labor or services" means labor, as defined in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, or services, as defined in paragraph (a)(7) of this section, that are performed or provided by another person and are obtained or maintained through coercion as enumerated in paragraph (b)(1) of this section;

(4) "Labor" means work of economic or financial value;

(5) "Maintain" means in relation to labor or services, to secure continued performance thereof, regardless of any initial agreement on the part of the victim to perform such type of service;

(6) "Obtain" means in relation to labor or services, to secure performance thereof;

(7) "Services" means an ongoing relationship between a person and the person in which the person performs activities under the supervision of or for the benefit of the person. Commercial sexual activity and sexually explicit performances are forms of services under this section. Nothing in this definition should be construed to legitimize or legalize prostitution;

(8) "Sexually explicit performance" means a live public act or show intended to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires or appeal to the prurient interest of patrons; and

(9) "Trafficking victim" means a person subjected to the practices set forth in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Prohibited activities. --

(1) Involuntary servitude. -- A person is guilty of holding another person in involuntary servitude when the person knowingly subjects, or attempts to subject, the person to forced labor or services.

a. By causing or threatening to cause physical harm to any person which is a class B felony;

b. By physically restraining or threatening to physically restrain another person which is a class B felony;

c. By abusing or threatening to abuse the law or legal process which is a class C felony;

d. By knowingly destroying, concealing, removing, confiscating or possessing any actual or purported passport or other immigration document, or any other actual or purported government identification document of another person which is a class E felony; or

e. By using blackmail, or using or threatening to cause financial harm to, or by using financial control over any person which is a class F felony.

(2) Sexual servitude of a minor. -- A person is guilty of sexual servitude of a minor when the person knowingly:

a. Recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains by any means, a minor under 18 years of age, knowing that the minor will engage in commercial sexual activity, a sexually explicit performance, or the production of pornography; or

b. Causes a minor to engage in commercial sexual activity or a sexually explicit performance:

1. Sexual servitude of a minor in which the minor was between the ages of 14 and 18 years and which did not involve overt force or threat is a class C felony;

2. Sexual servitude of a minor in which the minor had not attained the age of 14 years and which did not involve overt force or threat is a class B felony;

3. Sexual servitude of a minor in which overt force or threat was involved is a class A felony.

(3) Trafficking of persons for forced labor or services. -- A person is guilty of trafficking of persons for forced labor or services when a person knowingly:

a. Recruits, entices, harbors, transports, provides or obtains by any means, another person, intending or knowing that the person will be subjected to forced labor or services; or

b. Benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture which has engaged in an act described in violation of this section.

Trafficking of persons for forced labor or services is a class B felony.

(4) Trafficking of persons for use of body parts. -- A person is guilty of trafficking of persons for use of body parts when a person knowingly:

a. Recruits, entices, harbors, provides or obtains by any means, another person, intending or knowing that the person will have body parts removed for sale; or

b. Benefits, financially or by receiving anything of value, from participation in a venture which has engaged in an act described in violation of this section.

Such person shall be guilty of a class A felony. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the donation of an organ by an individual at a licensed medical facility after giving an informed voluntary consent.

(c) Restitution is mandatory under this section. -- In addition to any other amount of loss identified, the court shall order restitution, including the greater of:

(1) The gross income or value to the defendant of the victim's labor or services; or

(2) The value of the victim's labor as guaranteed under the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) [29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.] or of Title 19, whichever is greater.

(d) Assessment of victim protection needs. --

(1) The Attorney General, in consultation with the Department of Health and Social Services, shall, no later than July 1, 2008, issue a report outlining how existing victim/witness laws and regulations respond to the needs of trafficking victims, as defined in paragraph (a)(9) of this section, and suggesting areas of improvement and modification.

(2) The Department of Health and Social Services, in consultation with the Attorney General, shall, no later than July 1, 2008, issue a report outlining how existing social service programs respond or fail to respond to the needs of trafficking victims, as defined in paragraph (a)(9) of this section, the interplay of such existing programs with federally funded victim service programs, and areas needing improvement and modification. The report must include a section that states the ability of state programs and licensing bodies to recognize federal nonimmigrant status for the purposes of benefits, programs, and licenses.

76 Del. Laws, c. 125, § 1.;

§§ 788-790. [Reserved.]

§ 791. Acts constituting coercion; class A misdemeanor.

A person is guilty of coercion when the person compels or induces a person to engage in conduct which the victim has a legal right to abstain from engaging in, or to abstain from engaging in conduct in which the victim has a legal right to engage, by means of instilling in the victim a fear that, if the demand is not complied with, the defendant or another will:

(1) Cause physical injury to a person; or

(2) Cause damage to property; or

(3) Engage in other conduct constituting a crime; or

(4) Accuse some person of a crime or cause criminal charges to be instituted against a person; or

(5) Expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject some person to hatred, contempt or ridicule; or

(6) Testify or provide information or withhold testimony or information with respect to another's legal claim or defense; or

(7) Use or abuse the defendant's position as a public servant by performing some act within or related to the defendant's official duties, or by failing or refusing to perform an official duty in such manner as to affect some person adversely; or

(8) Perform any other act which is calculated to harm another person materially with respect to that person's health, safety, business, calling, career, financial condition, reputation or personal relationships.

Coercion is a class A misdemeanor.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 791; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

§ 792. Coercion; truth and proper motive as a defense.

In any prosecution for coercion committed by instilling in the victim a fear that the victim or another person would be charged with a crime, it is a defense that the defendant believed the threatened charge to be true and that the defendant's sole purpose was to compel or induce the victim to take reasonable action to make good the wrong which was the subject of the threatened charge.

11 Del. C. 1953, § 792; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;

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2010 Delaware Code Title 11 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure Chapter 5. Specific Offenses Subchapter II. Offenses Against the Person

2010 Delaware Code
Title 11 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Chapter 5. Specific Offenses
Subchapter II. Offenses Against the Person