Delaware Motion for Refusal and Change of Venue Due to Co-Defendant's Prior Criminal Convictions: In Delaware legal proceedings, a Motion for Refusal and Change of Venue Due to Co-Defendant's Prior Criminal Convictions is filed with the aim of seeking the disqualification of a judge from a case and requesting that the trial be moved to a different location. This motion is typically filed by a defendant who believes that the involvement of a co-defendant with prior criminal convictions may prejudice their fair trial rights and impede their chances of obtaining a favorable outcome. The primary purpose of the motion is to ensure that all defendants involved in a case are provided a fair and impartial trial, where their guilt or innocence is determined solely based on the presented evidence and legal arguments, rather than being influenced by the presence or past actions of a co-defendant. In Delaware, there are three main types of Motion for Refusal and Change of Venue Due to Co-Defendant's Prior Criminal Convictions that may be pursued: 1. Motion for Refusal: This entails requesting that the presiding judge voluntarily recuse themselves from the case due to a potential bias or conflict of interest arising from the co-defendant's prior criminal convictions. The motion is grounded on the principle that the judge's ability to remain neutral and objectively evaluate the evidence may be compromised due to their knowledge of the co-defendant's criminal history. To support such a motion, the defendant's attorney may present evidence of the judge's previous interactions or rulings related to the co-defendant's criminal record. 2. Motion for Change of Venue: This motion requests a change in the physical location of the trial to avoid potential prejudice stemming from the co-defendant's prior criminal convictions. The argument is that the local community's familiarity with the co-defendant's past criminal actions may create biases among jurors and hinder the possibility of an impartial trial. Supporting evidence may include media coverage, community opinions, or public sentiment surrounding the co-defendant's crimes. The moving seeks a transfer of the trial to a location where the jury pool is less influenced by the co-defendant's criminal history. 3. Combined Motion for Refusal and Change of Venue: In certain cases, defendants may opt to file a motion that combines both requests for refusal and change of venue. This comprehensive approach aims to minimize any potential detrimental impact on the defendants' fair trial rights by removing both the judge's potential bias and the local community's predispositions due to the co-defendant's prior criminal convictions. In conclusion, the Delaware Motion for Refusal and Change of Venue Due to Co-Defendant's Prior Criminal Convictions serves to safeguard the constitutional rights of defendants by striving for an unbiased trial environment. Whether seeking the refusal of a judge or the relocation of the trial, defendants have the opportunity to mitigate the potential prejudicial effects of a co-defendant's criminal history on their case.