MOTION FOR REDUCTION/MODIFICATION OF SENTENCE
INSTRUCTIONS
1) All motions must be legibly handwritten or typewritten, and signed by the
movant (defendant) under penalty of law.
2) Include all grounds for relief and supporting facts. Explain to the Judge, in detail, the
specific relief requested. Fill in all blanks completely. Motions with blank forms are
unacceptable, and will be returned without further consideration.
3) All correspondence must include the correct Case ID Number or the correct Criminal
Action Numbers. These numbers are available on your status sheet, which may be obtained
from the Department of Correction Records Department. Any requests for status sheets
should be directed to the DOC Records department. The Prothonotary Office neither
produces nor distributes status sheets.
4) List all case ID numbers (or Criminal Action Nos.), the date movant was sentenced, the
sentencing Judge and the specific request desired. These are crucial to the timely and
efficient processing of any motion filed.
5) Motions for reduction of sentence must be filed within 90 days of the movant=s sentencing
date. A motion for reduction of sentence filed after 90 days must either state extraordinary
circumstances that would entitle the movant to relief, or it must be filed by the Department
of Correction, on behalf of the defendant, pursuant to 11 Del. C. '4217.
6) Movant may attach photocopies of documents (as exhibits) to document the movant=s
claims for relief. Do not submit original documents (other than your Motion); they will
NOT be returned.
7) Submit 1 original of the motion to the Prothonotary in the county the defendant was
sentenced. DO NOT submit extra copies. Do not submit the motion directly to the judge. It
will be returned without further consideration.
8) Mail a copy of the motion to the Office of the Attorney General. Fill out the attached
Certificate of Service completely and sign it, under penalty of perjury. Please do not request
the Prothonotary Office to make copies or forward copies to the appropriate parties. Please
do not mail the original and the Attorney General=s copy in the same envelope, as the
Attorney General has a different address. It is the responsibility of the defendant to serve the
Attorney General with a copy of the intended motion. The Prothonotary does not distribute
copies to the parties involved, except for the assigned Judge.
Motion for Reduction/
Modification of Sentence Instructions
Page Two
9) Any motions not conforming to these instructions will be returned with a notation as to the
deficiency.
To return by mail:
New Castle County Prothonotary Office Kent County Prothonotary
500 N. King Street 38 The Green
Suite 500, Lower Level 1 Dover, DE 19901
Wilmington, DE 19801
Sussex County Prothonotary
1 The Circle, Suite 2
Georgetown, DE 19947
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
IN AND FOR ________________ COUNTY
State of Delaware )
)
vs. ) ID No. ____________________________
)
____________________________ ) Crim. Action Nos. ____________________
Correct full name of Movant )
)
____________________________ )
Movant=s Alias(es), if any )
)
DOB: ________________________ )
)
SBI: ________________________ )
Motion for _____________________________________
(Sentence Reduction/Modification)
1. The Court imposed Movant=s sentence on the following date: _________________
2. The judge who imposed the sentence was: _______________________________
3. Offenses for which Movant was sentenced and length of sentence(s):
_________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
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4. State the grounds upon which you believe that the Court should modify or reduce your
sentence. You must state the relevant facts in support of the grounds you raise:
Ground one: _______________________________________________________
Supporting facts: ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Ground two: _______________________________________________________
Supporting facts: ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Ground three: ______________________________________________________
Supporting facts: ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Ground four: _______________________________________________________
Supporting facts: ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Wherefore, in light of the above, Movant asks that the Court modify/reduce his/her sentence
as follows: ______________________________________________________
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_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________
Signature of attorney (if any)
I declare the truth of the above under penalty of perjury.
____________ ______________________________________
Date signed Signature of Movant (Notarization not required)
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, ______________________________________________________, hereby certify that I
have served a true and correct copy of the attached motion upon the following party, on
the ________ day of __________________,_________.
_______________________________________
Deputy Attorney General
Department of Justice
820 North French Street (Or other address if filed in a different county)
Wilmington, DE 19801
___________________ _________________________________
Date signed Signature of Movant (Notarization not required)
f:\forms\motion for reduction-modification
Revised 10/2004
