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AN OVERVIEW OF REFORMS TO MEXICO’S JUDICIAL SYSTEM
Mexico is in the process of implementing historic reforms to its criminal justice system. The result of constitutional amendments and legislative changes passed by the Mexican Congress in 2008, these reforms will significantly alter the manner in which criminal procedures are conducted. Until now, Mexico has operated under a system in which those accused of a crime are presumed guilty. Under the new system, Mexico will operate under an adversarial system in which those accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
As explained by David A. Shirk, director of the Trans-Border Institute at the University of San Diego, the judicial sector reforms passed by the Mexican Congress in 2008 comprise four main elements:
- Changes to criminal procedure through the introduction of new oral, adversarial procedures, alternative sentencing, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms
- A greater emphasis on the due process rights of the accused
- Modifications to police agencies and their role in criminal investigations
- Tougher measures for combating organized crime.¹
The introduction of new criminal procedures relating to each of these four elements will present significant challenges to those currently practicing law and law enforcement in Mexican states. The Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) Alliance Partnership offers hands-on training programs to Mexican judges, prosecutors, investigators and forensic scientists that promote cross-jurisdictional cooperation on law enforcement issues, build efficiency and transparency in court systems, promote a consistent application of Rule of Law disciplines such as oral advocacy, nurture cooperation on issues from consumer fraud and piracy to drug trafficking and money laundering, and ensure that law enforcement and judicial officials work together in ways that apply a consistent Rule of Law focus across jurisdictions in U.S. and Mexican states.
Read David Shirk’s full report:
Justice Reform in Mexico: Change and Challenges in the Judicial Sector.
¹Shirk, D.A. (2010). Justice reform in mexico: change and challenges in the judicial sector. Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Documents
English
News and Analysis
Judicial Reform in México: Toward a New Criminal Justice System, 2010, Ingram & Shirk
Crime Wars: Gangs, Cartels and U.S. National Security, Sept. 2010, Kellebrew & Bernal
Countering Criminal Violence in Central America, Apr. 2012, Shifter
Time: Mexico’s Tragedy Is a U.S. Concern, 7/11/2011
Los Angeles Times: Mexico Under Siege: The drug war at our doorstep
2009 Rand Corporation: Security in México — Implications for U.S. Policy Options
Codes
Español
Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, última reforma 30-11-2012
2011 09 Iniciativa del Código Federal de Procedimientos Penales
Código Penal Federal de México, última reforma 20-08-2009
Código Modelo del Proceso Penal Acusatorio para los Estados de la Federación promovido por CONATRIB
Ley Federal De Extinción De Dominio, México, 2009
Estado de México Ley de Extinción de Dominio 2011
Links
English
Links to U.S. State Attorneys Generals Offices
Links to Mexican State Attorneys Generals Offices
U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (on Facebook)
U.S. Agency for International Development
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training
Mexico’s Federal Attorney General’s Office
Mexico’s National Conference of Attorneys General
National Council of State Supreme Courts of Mexico
National Association of Attorneys General (of the U.S.)
National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute
Council of State Governments — WEST
National Association of State Treasurers
National Lieutenant Governors Association
North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University
The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Trans-Border Institute at the University of San Diego
National Institutes of Justice
National Center for State Courts
International Association for Court Administration
American Bar Association Rule of Law Institute
National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade
National Institute of Criminal Justice (Mexico)
Español
Enlaces a las Procuradurías de los EUA
Enlaces a las Procuradurías de los Estados Mexicanos
Agencia para el Desarrollo Internacional de los EUA
Departamento de Justicia de los EUA
Procuraduría General de la República
Conferencia Nacional de Procuración de Justicia de México
Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación de México
Comisión Nacional de Tribunales Superiores de Justicia de los Estados Mexicanos
Asociación Nacional de Procuradores Generales de Justicia (de los EUA)
Instituto Nacional de Capacitación e Investigación de los Procuradores Generales de Justicia
Conferencia Legislativa Fronteriza
Conferencia de Gobernadores Fronterizos
Consejo de Gobiernos Estatales
Consejo de Gobiernos Estatales — OESTE
Asociación Nacional de Tesoreros Estatales
Asociación Nacional de Vicegobernadores
Centro Norteamericano de Estudios Transfronterizos de la Universidad Estatal de Arizona
El Centro Internacional Woodrow Wilson para Académicos
Instituto Transfronterizo de la Universidad de San Diego
Instituto Nacional de Justicia
Escuela Nacional para Miembros de la Judicatura
Centro Nacional para Tribunales Estatales
Asociación Internacional para la Administración de Tribunales
Instituto del Estado de Derecho de la Barra de Abogados de América
Centro Jurídico Nacional para el Libre Comercio Interamericano
Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Penales