WILMINGTON - In a historic ceremony, Governor Matt Meyer formally swore in Sonia Augusthy as a judge on the Delaware Superior Court. A respected trial attorney and longtime public servant, Augusthy becomes the first person of South Asian descent to serve on the state’s Superior Court bench.

“Sonia Augusthy brings a unique and powerful blend of experience, compassion, and legal acumen to the judiciary,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “Her deep understanding of the law, her service on both sides of the courtroom, and her unwavering commitment to justice will make her an exceptional judge for all Delawareans. Today’s swearing-in is more than a professional milestone—it’s a reflection of the kind of judiciary Delaware needs and deserves.”

Augusthy most recently served as an Assistant Public Defender in the Delaware Office of Defense Services, representing disadvantaged clients in Superior Court since 2020. Her extensive courtroom experience includes complex motion practice, trial litigation, and sentencing advocacy. She previously served more than a decade in various roles at the Delaware Department of Justice, including Director of the Office of Civil Rights and Public Trust, where she led independent reviews of police use-of-force incidents, oversaw public corruption prosecutions, and drafted legislation to promote transparency and accountability in government.

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BIOGRAPHY

Sonia Augusthy is an accomplished attorney with nearly two decades of legal experience in both criminal defense and prosecution. She currently serves as an Assistant Public Defender in Delaware’s Office of Defense Services, representing clients in Superior Court and advocating for alternatives to incarceration through strategic mitigation and sentencing advocacy.

Augusthy earned her J.D. from Widener University School of Law (*** laude) and holds a B.A. in Communications from Temple University (magna *** laude). She most recently completed executive legal education in Generative AI from Berkeley Law.

Augusthy’s judicial experience began in 2007 when she clerked for the Honorable Calvin L. Scott of the Delaware Superior Court. She later practiced civil litigation before dedicating her career to public service in both prosecution and defense.

Augusthy spent over a decade at the Delaware Department of Justice, where she held leadership positions including Director of the Office of Civil Rights & Public Trust from 2018-2020 and Unit Head of Felony Screening from 2016 to 2018. In these roles, she led high-profile investigations, managed the state’s Actual Innocence Program, and oversaw statewide law enforcement accountability efforts. Augusthy has prosecuted complex criminal cases, including homicides and sex crimes, and has played a key role in legislative and policy reform efforts across Delaware’s justice system.

Throughout her career, Augusthy has been an active contributor to Delaware’s legal community, serving on the Delaware Board of Bar Examiners, the Superior Court Criminal Rules Committee, the SENTAC Subcommittee on Sentencing Reform, and is a member of the Rodney Inn of Court. A frequent panelist and speaker, she has presented on topics ranging from hate crimes and sentencing to police reform and trial ethics.