Delaware

Delaware lawmakers consider new bill for probation reform – 47abc

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2024

Delaware lawmakers consider new bill for probation reform – 47abc

DELAWARE – Delaware lawmakers are considering a new bill that would make changes to the state’s current probation system. It would direct courts and the Bureau of Community Corrections to use the least restrictive probation conditions to achieve proper community supervision.

Senate Substitute 3 for Senate Bill 4 has been in the works for a long time now. It’s been three years of writing, re-writing, and compromise–but finally, it’s ready to see the senate floor.

“You know, we pride ourselves on being the first state, and I think we need to take ownership of what that means, being the first to do things and being unique in how we do things,” said Delaware State Senator Marie Pinkney, the primary sponsor of the bill. She said its well past time for Delaware to update its probation system.

“I get a lot of outreach from people who are either in prison, people who are on probation, or their loved ones talking about the difficulties that they have had with probation. [They feel] like probation has got them caught up in kind of like a ‘gotcha.’”

In its current form, the bill focuses on making sure additional conditions and programs that probationers have to comply with are actually relevant —
rather than extraneous or overly burdensome for the individual: “It’s focused on making sure that whatever additional conditions someone gets tasked with are related to their criminogenic needs…related to the crime they committed, or why they may have committed a crime”

The bill would also strike from Delaware code a clause that makes it more difficult for someone on probation to obtain a marriage license. Senator Pinkney said that their initial goal in this reform was much more ambitious, trying to limit the rates of re-incarceration for those on probation. But some community stakeholders–like victims of domestic violence–feared that it would put them in danger: “There were some who felt like there wasn’t going to be enough protection for victims if we were not able to utilize reincarceration for violations of probation.”

After 3 years of conversations and compromise, Senator Pinkney thinks that this bill is a strong start for probation reform, but she still feels that there’s work to do, saying, “We are definitely not done with probation. We’re going to continue to look at how we address the use of reincarceration moving forward.”

Along with the bill, there is also Concurrent Resolution 175, which would establish the Probation System Task Force, comprised of lawmakers and other stakeholders, who would recommend additional reforms to the general assembly in July of next year.

In a statement to WMDT, the Delaware Department of Correction said:

“Over the past year, the Delaware Department of Correction has worked in good faith and in a spirit of collaboration to actively engage with legislators who seek statutory changes to Delaware’s probation and criminal justice system. The DOC leadership team has participated in numerous discussions with lawmakers to better understand the intent of the legislation, and we have provided detailed written responses to the initial language and every revision to the proposed legislation that highlight the intended – and unintended – impacts, affirm provisions that the DOC supports, and identify opportunities for further data-driven analysis. The DOC remains engaged in this dialogue, framed by a deep commitment to our dual mission to protect the public and promote successful reentry through safe and secure facilities, effective supervision, and rehabilitative services.

At this time, the DOC is carefully reviewing Senate Substitute 3 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 175, which were introduced yesterday. We will be able to provide comment and feedback when that review is complete.”

Senate Substitute 3 for Senate Bill 4 is currently out of committee, and on the ready list for consideration.

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Delaware

Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court

Published

3 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Elon Musk-Led Overhaul of Delaware Business Law Upheld by State Court

The Delaware Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of an Elon Musk-inspired overhaul of state law that governs most major US corporations, handing a win to company founders, insiders and private equity owners who sought less restrictive business rules.

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Delaware

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Published

15 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

RADNOR, Pa. – Authorities say a Delaware County school employee is accused of traveling to Texas to sexually assault a minor he met online.

What we know:

Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody near Radnor Middle School where investigators say he worked as a paraprofessional.

Investigators believe Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas in the summer of 2024 to meet a minor he had connected with online.

Robinson, according to U.S. Marshals, allegedly sexually assaulted the teen over the course of a weekend.

Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas

Prosecutors in Smith County, Texas charged Robinson in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old.

Robinson is being held at a Delaware County jail where he is awaiting extradition to Texas.

What they’re saying:

U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania said Robinson’s arrest shows that “sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly.”

The Radnor Township School District said Robinson has been placed on leave and will not have contact with students.

“Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately.”

The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and has “no information indicating misconduct involving district students.”

Crime & Public SafetyDelaware CountyNews

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Delaware

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Published

1 day ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Rehoboth Beach has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the Sussex County resort town continues dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s snowstorm, organizers of the annual Special Olympics fundraiser said on Feb. 26.

“Rehoboth Beach is navigating significant challenges because of the snowstorm,” a Special Olympics Delaware email announced. “At present, the boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow covered and many sidewalks throughout downtown Rehoboth are as well.”

The plunge and 5K had been rescheduled to March 1 after severe weather conditions in late January caused it to be moved from its original Feb. 1 date.

The plunge will not be rescheduled for this year.

Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 2 feet of snow to parts of Sussex, closing hundreds of roads when trees and wires were downed. There were also power outages across the county, including Rehoboth Beach which had to restore power to its wastewater treatment facility.

Plunging for a cause

The polar bear plunge is one of Special Olympics Delaware’s more popular fundraisers, drawing more than 4,000 participants last year.

In recent years, the event has been bringing in more than a million dollars for Special Olympics Delaware. Last year, plunge events drew $1.3 million, just shy of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024.

Alex Seymore, Special Olympics Delaware’s director of digital media, said the organization had already raised more than $1 million from this year’s event.

“We expect a small impact,” Seymore told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “But again, we’re showing that we’ve raised over a million dollars.

He added they are reviewing how the cancelation will impact them and their services.

“It’s been just a couple hours, so we’re not completely positive how it will impact things in the long run,” he said. “We’re thankful for everybody that’s helped raise this money through this time.”

What is still occurring

While the plunge and 5k and been canceled this year, there are other indoor events that will continue as scheduled:

Feb. 27

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Feb. 28

noon to 2 p.m. Fire & Ice in the Atlantic Sands Ballroom, 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant chili contest.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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