Delaware Courthouse Dress Code & Attire Rules (2026)

Short answer: Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 3 courthouses in Delaware. Updated 2026-11-04

All 3 county courthouses in Delaware enforce judicial decorum dress codes: shorts, flip-flops, tank tops, halter tops, pajamas, and hats are prohibited in courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may refuse entry or reset your hearing if you are improperly dressed. Delaware State Courthouses (Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington, Kent, and Sussex) historically prohibit public cell phones past Capitol Police checkpoints except for attorneys and badged jurors, with limited vestibule lockers.

County Courthouse	City	Courtroom dress code	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
New Castle County New Castle County Courthouse (Wilmington) “Courtroom Decorum Order (New Castle County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Wilmington	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	Yes ($0.25)	Free Validated
Sussex County Sussex County Courthouse (Georgetown) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Sussex County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Georgetown	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	Yes ($0.25)	Free Validated
Kent County Kent County Courthouse (Dover) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Kent County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Dover	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	Yes ($0.25)	Free Validated

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wear jeans or shorts to court in Delaware?

Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 3 courthouses in Delaware.

How is this courthouse policy data verified?

We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.