James McGiffin at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Delaware · State
- Judicial service
- Active
James McGiffin
Judge · Delaware Family Court
Biography
Professional career
Education
Additional information
- Appointed by the Delaware Judicial Branch and serves a 12‐year term beginning in 2016, when he was appointed by Governor Jack Markell.
- He also held the role of Dover City Councilman and was President of the Delaware State Bar Association from 2011 to 2012
- He then attended Boston College Law School, graduating in 1985, and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1986.
- Born around 1946 in Pennsylvania, McGiffin obtained a B.A. in Music from the University of North Texas, where he played bass in various ensembles.
- Family Court Commissioner
- focusing on domestic violence issues
- His legal career began after a strong LSAT score and inspiration from legal fiction such as To Kill a Mockingbird
- Before becoming a judge, McGiffin had over three decades of service with the Community Legal Aid Society (CLASI), Delaware’s primary provider of civil legal services to low‐income residents.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Delaware Judicial Branch operating procedures generally restrict courthouse photography and audio or video recording, subject to limited exceptions.
With limited exceptions, visitors will not be allowed to take photos or record audio or video in the courthouse.Operating Procedures for the Delaware Judicial Branch: Facilities ↗
Courtroom Technology Coordination
Statewide
Delaware courts publish courtroom technology capabilities, but counsel should direct equipment and setup requests to the applicable court before the proceeding.
If you wish to use any of the technology listed below, please make your request to the appropriate Court prior to trial.Courtroom Technology ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Delaware courthouse electronic-device policy
Delaware Family Court
Shared courthouse guidance; permission and stated exceptions remain applicable. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Sources
Identity source checked August 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 26, 2026.
Delaware Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 26, 2026
View Delaware Courts official judicial roster ↗Operating Procedures for the Delaware Judicial Branch: Facilities
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 30, 2026
View Operating Procedures for the Delaware Judicial Branch: Facilities ↗Courtroom Technology
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 30, 2026
View Courtroom Technology ↗