Del. Code 4, § 562 : Alcoholic Liquors — Licenses And Taxes — Cancellation Or Suspension Of License — Public hearing and right of appeal

Current through 2016 Legislative Session, Act 399

(a) No license shall be cancelled or suspended, or any licensee fined:

(1) Until the licensee has been given a public hearing by the Commissioner at which time the licensee shall be entitled to legal representation and to present witnesses; and

(2) Unless the ground therefor shall be established by clear and convincing evidence.

A full and complete record shall be kept of all proceedings incident to such hearing. All testimony shall be recorded but need not be transcribed unless an order of the Commissioner is appealed to the Superior Court as set forth in subsection (c) of this section.

(b) Any order of the Commissioner relative to suspension or cancellation of a license, or a fine imposed against a licensee shall become final 10 days after the licensee receives notice thereof, unless within 10 days of the date of the postmark on the Commissioner's decision a written appeal is filed in the Superior Court. No bond shall be required for filing such appeal.

(c) The appeal shall state the grounds upon which a review is sought. After the appeal is filed, service shall be made by the Sheriff upon the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall certify and file with the court all documents and papers and a transcript of all testimony taken in the matter, together with the Commissioner's findings therein as soon as practicable but in no event later than 20 calendar days from the date of service of the appeal. The Superior Court's review of an appeal shall be on the record and the Superior Court shall take into account the experience and specialized competence of the agency and the purpose under which the agency acted. Further, the Superior Court's review, in the absence of fraud, shall be limited to whether the agency's decision is supported by substantial evidence on the record and is free from legal error.

(d) An appeal without bond may be taken from the decision of the Superior Court to the Supreme Court of this State in the same manner as is provided in civil cases. Upon the final determination of judicial proceedings, the Commissioner shall enter an order in accordance with such determination, or shall take such further or other action as the Court may order. A petition for judicial review shall act as a supersedeas.

Del. C. § 562

38 Del. Laws, c. 18, § 29; Code 1935, § 6158; 47 Del. Laws, c. 119, § 1; 4 Del. C. 1953, § 562; 55 Del. Laws, c. 296, § 2; 59 Del. Laws, c. 107, §§ 49, 50; 72 Del. Laws, c. 486, §§ 9, 19, 20; 78 Del. Laws, c. 384, § 3.;