WHAT THE WORDS MEAN

Also called road rage

Continuous conduct breaking 3 or more listed traffic rules, such as following too closely, unsafe lane changes and speeding.

Also called rental application fee

A fee to check a prospective tenant's credit, no more than 10 percent of the monthly rent or $50, whichever is greater.

Also called public consumption

Sidewalks, streets, parking lots, parks, stores and restaurants, and outdoor spots within 10 feet of them or of a building's doors and open windows.

Also called PFA violation arrest

An officer's duty to arrest, with or without a warrant, anyone the officer has probable cause to believe knowingly violated a protective order.

Also called banned rifle

A firearm on the code's list that may not be transported into the State, sold, bought or possessed, as a class D felony.

Also called holding fee

A payment a prospective landlord asks for that is not an application fee, deposit, surety bond fee or reservation deposit, and may not take.

Also called garnishment

A creditor taking wages to pay a judgment. Most of a resident's wages are exempt, and only 1 attachment may run at a time.

Also called motor voter

Registration sent from the Division of Motor Vehicles for an eligible person who showed proof of citizenship, with a notice to decline.

Also called custody standard

The standard the Family Court decides custody by, weighing the wishes, relationships, adjustment and health of everyone involved.

Also called delaware yield

A cyclist at a stop sign on a road of 2 or fewer lanes slows, stops if safety requires, and yields before going through.

Also called disability traffic stop

An envelope the State Police provide on request to a driver with a disability, holding the license, registration and insurance card, with guidance for the officer and the driver.

Also called data breach

Unauthorized access to computerized personal information, triggering notice to residents within 60 days.

Also called carrying concealed, CCDW

A deadly weapon carried concealed upon or about the person without a license. It is a class G felony, and a class D felony when it is a firearm.

Also called bail, release on recognizance

The bond a person charged with a crime other than a capital crime is released on, with conditions to return to court and commit no offense.

Also called cognovit

A lease term letting someone enter judgment against the tenant without a case. It is void in a rental agreement.

Also called eligible for paid leave

An employee with at least 12 months and 1,250 hours with the employer, eligible for paid family and medical leave.

Also called trespassing

Knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully: on land a violation, in a building or fenced land an unclassified misdemeanor, and in a dwelling a class A misdemeanor.

Also called vicious dog

A dog the Justice of the Peace Court declares dangerous, kept only with $100,000 insurance, confinement, and a muzzle and short leash outside.

Also called next of kin decision maker

A person who decides health care for someone without capacity and without an agent, chosen by a set order of family and friends.

Also called stop and frisk, investigative stop

A stop of a person reasonably suspected of a crime, to ask name, address, business and destination, lasting no more than 2 hours.

Also called breach of the peace

Intentionally causing public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm by fighting, unreasonable noise, abusive language, blocking traffic, or refusing to disperse. It is an unclassified misdemeanor.

Also called felony voting ban

A felony the State Constitution names as a permanent bar to voting. Other felonies bar it only until the sentence is fully served.

Also called financial power of attorney

A power of attorney that lasts through the principal's incapacity, signed before a notary and an adult witness.

Also called stand your ground, castle doctrine

The rule that deadly force is not justified where the defendant knows it can be avoided with complete safety by retreating.

Also called spousal share

A surviving spouse's right to take one third of the elective estate, claimed within 6 months after letters.

Also called heat, hot water

Heat, water, hot water and electricity. A failure lasting 48 hours after notice lets the tenant end the lease or keep two thirds of the daily rent.

Also called closed meeting

A meeting closed to the public for a listed purpose, held only after an open vote.

Also called first offender program, DUI diversion

A program for a first DUI with no prior offense and under .15, where the court defers judgment and places the person on probation with a course.

Also called mortgage mediation

The automatic program in a foreclosure on an owner occupied home, holding off judgment until the mediation date.

Also called civil forfeiture

The State taking property connected to a drug offense. A vehicle or home is forfeited only on proof it was used with the owner's knowledge or consent.

Also called public records law

The law opening public records to inspection and copying, with a response within 15 business days.

Also called permit to purchase, handgun permit

A permit from the State Bureau of Identification, required to buy a handgun, granted within 30 days unless grounds for denial exist and valid for 2 years.

Also called interlock

A device on a vehicle that has to work before the car will start, required of every person convicted of driving under the influence.

Also called vulnerable adult

An adult 18 or older whose disability substantially impairs their ability to care for themselves, whose need for protection is reported to the Department.

Also called breath test refusal

The rule that anyone driving in the State is deemed to consent to a chemical test when an officer has probable cause, with revocation of 1 year or more for a refusal.

Also called distracted driving

Failing to give full time and attention to driving, or to keep a proper lookout, punished by a fine of $25 to $75 the first time.

Also called workers comp board

The board a workers' compensation claim is brought to within 2 years after the accident.

Also called proof of insurance

A card from the insurer showing a policy meeting the State's minimums, carried in the vehicle and shown on request, on paper or on a phone.

Also called recording a call, one party consent

Overhearing or recording a wire, oral or electronic communication. It is lawful where the person is a party to it or one of the parties gave prior consent.

Also called emergency guardian

A guardian the Court of Chancery appoints without notice in an emergency, for up to 30 days.

Also called no will

Dying without a will, so the estate passes to the spouse and family in the shares the code sets.

Also called no fault divorce

The finding a divorce rests on: a marriage with separation and reconciliation improbable.

Also called deposit statement

The list of damages and repair costs a landlord sends within 20 days with any remaining deposit. Not sending it means no damages are owed.

Also called fired for cause

Discharge for misconduct connected with the work, which bars unemployment benefits until the person works again.

Also called small claims court

The court that hears contract and property claims up to $25,000, and landlord and tenant possession cases.

Also called high capacity magazine

A magazine the section bans. A first offense of possession alone is a civil penalty of $100, a second a class B misdemeanor, and anything else a class E felony.

Also called late fee

A charge for late rent, limited to 5 percent of the monthly rent and not allowed within 5 days of the due date.

Also called red flag order

An order requiring a person shown to be a danger to give up firearms, for up to 5 years.

Also called learners permit

The permit for a driver at least 16 and under 18, held for 12 months, with supervised driving for the first 6.

Also called prison, incarceration

Full incarceration in a custodial institution, the level at which felony sentences are served.

Also called carry permit, concealed carry license

A license the Superior Court may approve, after an application, a certificate of 5 respectable citizens and a training course, valid 3 years at first and renewable for 5.

Also called wage penalty

The added amount an employer owes for unpaid final wages without reasonable grounds: ten percent a day, up to the wages owed.

Also called mobile home rent

A raise in the rent for a manufactured home lot, allowed once in 12 months with 90 to 120 days' notice and limited by an inflation formula.

Also called automatic expungement

Expungement the State Bureau of Identification grants for eligible cases on request, and monthly on its own.

Also called hospital bill

Debt for health care, which may not be reported to a credit agency or carry interest or late fees.

Also called no lease

The term of a rental agreement with no stated term, ended by either side on at least 60 days' written notice.

Also called move over law

Changing into a lane not next to a stopped vehicle with flashing lights on a road of 4 or more lanes, or slowing at least 20 miles per hour below a limit of 50 or more.

Also called lemon defect

A defect breaking a new car's warranty. 4 or more repairs, or more than 30 days out of service, presumes a reasonable number of attempts.

Also called disassembled gun

A firearm disassembled, broken down, or stored in a manner that prevents its immediate use. It is an affirmative defense to carrying while under the influence.

Also called cooling off notice

The form a door to door seller attaches to the contract, letting the buyer cancel within 3 business days.

Also called ATV, dirt bike

A vehicle registered for use off public roads, which may not be operated on a public highway, street or sidewalk except to cross it pushed in neutral.

Also called battery

Intentionally touching another person knowing it is likely to cause offense or alarm. It is an unclassified misdemeanor, and a class A misdemeanor with a bodily fluid.

Also called good samaritan drug law

Protection from arrest and prosecution for drug offenses below class C felonies, and underage drinking, for the person in an overdose and the person seeking help.

Also called prohibited person, felon in possession

A person barred from purchasing, owning, possessing or controlling a deadly weapon or ammunition, such as one convicted of a felony or of misdemeanor domestic violence.

Also called legal amount of marijuana

1 ounce or less of leaf marijuana, 12 grams or less of concentrated cannabis, or products with 750 milligrams or less of delta-9 THC.

Also called assault third degree

The harm that makes assault in the third degree, a class A misdemeanor, and with a deadly weapon or a victim 62 or older, the second degree.

Also called gun at the polls

A place designated for in person voting, from 2 hours before the polls open until 2 hours after they close. Having a firearm there is a class A misdemeanor.

Also called health care proxy

A record naming an agent to make health care decisions, signed by the person and an adult witness.

Also called PFA, restraining order

A Family Court order against domestic violence, lasting up to 1 year, and up to 2 for no contact orders.

Also called probate office

The county office where a will is delivered within 10 days of learning of the death.

Also called medical marijuana patient

A patient registered under the medical marijuana act, protected while possessing no more than 6 ounces.

Also called fix it yourself

A tenant's right, after written notice and 30 days without a fix, to have the work done and deduct up to $400 or half a month's rent.

Also called mandated reporter

A report every person who knows or suspects child abuse makes to the Department.

Also called resisting, fleeing

Intentionally preventing an arrest or detention, or fleeing from one. It is a class A misdemeanor, and a class G felony with force or violence.

Also called landlord retaliation

A landlord seeking possession, raising rent or cutting services after a tenant's good faith complaint or organizing, presumed within 90 days.

Also called pay and stay

A tenant's right to pay all past due amounts and costs at any time before an eviction for unpaid rent is carried out, vacating the judgment.

Also called gun at school

The buildings, fields, stadiums and property of a public or private school, and its vehicles. Knowingly having a firearm there is a class E felony.

Also called warrant

A judge's written authority to search a described place for described things, on sworn facts showing probable cause.

Also called damage deposit

Money held in escrow to cover damage beyond normal wear and tear and unpaid rent, capped at 1 month's rent on a lease of 1 year or more.

Also called notarized will

A will acknowledged by the person and affirmed by the witnesses before a notary, so the witnesses need not be found later.

Also called living apart

Living separate and apart for 6 or more months before the ruling, which may be under one roof in separate bedrooms.

Also called eviction record sealing

A court order deeming an eviction case not filed and taking it off public systems.

Also called retail theft

Taking, concealing or relabeling store goods intending not to pay. It is a felony at $1,500 or more.

Also called collection by affidavit

A way for family to collect personal property of $50,000 or less without a personal representative, after 30 days.

Also called voucher discrimination

One of the grounds on which refusing to rent or setting different terms is unlawful discrimination.

Also called parent signature for license

The parent or guardian who signs a minor's license application, decides whether the minor is ready, and may withdraw the signature in writing.

A course of conduct at a specific person that would make a reasonable person fear injury or suffer significant distress. It is a felony.

Also called deadline to sue

The time to bring a lawsuit: 2 years for personal injury, 3 years for a promise or a debt.

Also called eviction case

The court action a landlord brings to take back a rental, after a written demand giving at least 7 days to pay.

Also called citation, ticket to appear

A written order to appear in court an officer may give instead of arresting for a misdemeanor. Wilfully failing to appear can bring up to $100 or 30 days.

Also called grandparent rights

Visitation for a grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling or another adult with a close relationship, granted only on the grounds the code sets.

Also called tip credit

The cash wage for work where tips are customary, never less than $2.23 an hour.

Also called truancy

A student absent without a valid excuse for more than 3 school days in a school year.

Also called misdemeanor with no class

An offense not designated a felony, a class A or B misdemeanor, or a violation. Unless its own law says otherwise, it carries up to 30 days and $575.

Also called illegal lockout

Removing or excluding a tenant without a valid court order. The tenant recovers 3 times the damages or 3 times the daily rent.

Also called consumer fraud

Deception, misrepresentation, or hiding a material fact in a sale or advertisement, whether or not anyone was misled.

Also called safe storage law, child access

Leaving a loaded firearm within reach of a child or prohibited person who then gets it, when it was not locked up, trigger locked, or kept somewhere reasonably secure.

Also called vehicular manslaughter

Causing a death by criminally negligent driving, or by negligent driving while impaired. The second degree is a class D felony and the first a class C.

Also called civil violation

The lowest level of offense, carrying a fine of up to $345 for a first, and Level I probation.

Also called revenge porn, hidden camera

Sharing intimate images without consent, recording people undressing, or hiding a tracker on a car, among the acts the section lists.

Also called pedestrian, cyclist

A pedestrian, road worker, cyclist, or person on a scooter, skateboard, motorcycle or wheelchair. Seriously injuring one in a traffic violation brings a fine of $550 and a suspension.

Also called eviction order

The court's order to a constable or sheriff to remove the occupants, carried out between sunrise and sunset after at least 24 hours' notice.