2022 Delaware Code
Title 4 - Alcoholic Liquors
Chapter 11. SEIZURE AND CONFISCATION
§ 1109. Procedural provisions.

(a) The Superior Court may adopt rules to govern proceedings under this chapter.

(b) All proceedings under this chapter shall be in the nature of proceedings in rem for the forfeiture and disposition of property seized and not otherwise disposed of under this chapter.

(c) Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as depriving any owner or person holding a lien upon or conditional title to any property seized from pursuing any remedy otherwise available in any court for the recovery of said property, but no such other remedy shall be available and no other proceeding for the recovery of said property shall be brought after a petition, involving said property, has been filed in the Superior Court under the authority of § 1107 of this title, and in such case all remedies of persons claiming title to or liens upon such seized property shall be asserted and adjudicated in the cause presented by such petition in the Superior Court.

(d) In any action or proceeding brought by an alleged owner, lienor or claimant of the seized property, this State, acting on behalf of the Division, shall be permitted to intervene as a party defendant and justify the seizure under the authority of this chapter, and in such case, as well as in any case arising under this chapter, the Court may by order, judgment or decree require the payment to the Division of all proper costs and expenses of seizure, holding, storage or other acts or proceedings under the authority of this chapter.

(e) It shall be no objection to any report and petition filed by the Division under § 1107 of this title that it relates to and deals with the property of more than one person or property seized on more than one occasion, nor shall the Superior Court refuse to act upon any such petition because any criminal proceeding arising out of the seizure of such property remains undisposed of, has resulted in an acquittal or has been retired or nolle prossed by the Attorney General.