Difference between revisions of "Mexico"

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|<h2    id="mp-dyk-h2" style="margin:3px; background:#143966;      font-size:120%;  font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3bfb1;      text-align:left;  color:#ffffff; padding:0.2em    0.4em;">CODES</h2>
 
|<h2    id="mp-dyk-h2" style="margin:3px; background:#143966;      font-size:120%;  font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3bfb1;      text-align:left;  color:#ffffff; padding:0.2em    0.4em;">CODES</h2>
*[http://www.ordenjuridico.gob.mx Codes of Mexico]
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*[http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cnpp.htm National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales)]
*[http://www.stj.gob.mx/biblioteca/legislacion.php Codes of Chihuahua]
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*[http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpf.htm Federal Criminal Code (Código Penal Federal)]
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*[http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpeum.htm Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos)]
 
<h2    id="mp-dyk-h2" style="margin:3px; background:#143966;        font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3bfb1;        text-align:left; color:#ffffff; padding:0.2em  0.4em;">LEGAL TRAINING    RESOURCE CENTER</h2>
 
<h2    id="mp-dyk-h2" style="margin:3px; background:#143966;        font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3bfb1;        text-align:left; color:#ffffff; padding:0.2em  0.4em;">LEGAL TRAINING    RESOURCE CENTER</h2>
 
* [http://elearning.ibj.org eLearning Courses for Criminal Defense lawyers]
 
* [http://elearning.ibj.org eLearning Courses for Criminal Defense lawyers]
 
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{{Languages|Mexico}}
 
 
 
 
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
 
    
 
    
Mexico is a federal republic, which has three levels of government: federal, state and municipal. There are also three levels of criminal systems. The federal system governs crimes within the federal jurisdiction (including serious crimes such as drug possession, alien smuggling, and some firearms charges) . Each of Mexico’s 31 states have their own criminal codes and codes of criminal procedure; serious crimes within state-level jurisdiction include homicide, kidnap, rape, possession of a deadly weapon, and property damage. The municipal systems govern minor infractions.  
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Mexico is a federal republic formed by thirty-two States. The legislation and jurisdiction of the criminal legal system responds to this administrative organization, leaving therefore federal crimes and state crimes according to their corresponding codes. The federal system governs crimes within the federal jurisdiction (including serious crimes such as drug possession, alien smuggling, and some firearms charges) . Each of Mexico’s 31 states have their own criminal codes and codes of criminal procedure; serious crimes within state-level jurisdiction include homicide, kidnap, rape, possession of a deadly weapon, and property damage. The municipal systems govern minor infractions.
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Before the reform carried out in 2008 regarding the constitutional system in criminal matters, Mexico had an inquisitive criminal system, with bureaucratic, delayed and completely written procedures in which it was common for judges to not have direct contact with the suspect. The 2008 reform, which entered into force throughout the national territory until 2016, introduced a criminal system that is meant to guarantee human rights and has accusatory adversarial courts in Mexico. In this new system, it is mandatory to hold public hearings with the presence of a judge and parties; preventive detention is no longer the rule, but the exception, prioritizing the presumption of innocence; the process is more efficient and all the evidence in a case is released in the same hearing (with certain exceptions) in which the judge must necessarily be present and whom orally has to explain the evaluation of the evidence.  
  
There are also three different jail systems. All municipalities have a smaller jail in the police departments and some municipalities have Centros de Readaptacion Social (CERESOs). The states have the well-known CERESOs. Lastly, the federation hasCentrosFederales de Readaptacion Social(CEFERESOs). These are, typically, jails of maximum security.
 
  
All of Mexico’s jails are overcrowded. Some, such as the municipal CERESO of Juarez, Chihuahua, are 200% over capacity. Typically, the jails are overpopulated by 30%. Some jails, such as those in Mexico, D.F., have up to 10 detainees in a room meant for 4 people. These prisoners have to pay cash in exchange for a space to sleep or, if they do not have money, are forced to sleep along the walls. All things in jail can be bought for a price. For example, one can purchase 5 minutes in a shared restroom, cigars, a pillow, etc. Of the prison population, 40% are non-yet-sentenced detainees. For the above reasons, Mexican jails have been named “crime schools” or “crime university"<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/amp/International/wireStory/report-mexican-prisons-overcrowded-unsafe-understaffed-48040833</ref>.
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For the proper functioning of this new system, the National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales<ref>National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cnpp.htm</ref>) was drafted, which abrogated the existing procedural criminal codes for each State, as well as procedural federal code. The purpose of this new code is to standardize the national criminal procedure (both of the States and at the federal level) and establish the rules to be observed in the investigation, prosecution and punishment of crimes, to clarify the facts, protect the innocent, ensure that the culprit does not go unpunished and that the damage is repaired, and thus contribute to ensuring access to justice. Despite this, it remains questionable how much justice has been achieved in this area. As in several countries in Latin America, access to justice in Mexico is quite unequal.
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The latest legislative reform updated Mexico from the backlog in the administration of justice and protection of human rights, but there are still lags in the system. To mention some examples, in matters of infrastructure, adequate spaces are still needed for oral trials and, in matters of training, the Public Prosecutor, the police, judges and lawyers are mostly outdated. In addition, the workload for public prosecutors and public defenders is extremely high; this does not allow the rights enshrined in the criminal reform to materialize. Even more worrisome is the fact that due to the procedural structure set forth in the National Code of Criminal Procedures, one could pay attention to the fabrication of guilty parties, torture of the accused and impunity. Finally, levels of corruption by the operators of the justice system remain high.
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Additionally, the penitentiary centers administered by the Mexican States are, in their majority, overpopulated. In a study conducted from 2011 to 2017 by the National Census of Government, Public Safety and State Penitentiary System (Censo Nacional de Gobierno, Seguridad Pública y Sistema Penitenciario Estatales<ref>“Censo Nacional de Gobierno, Seguridad Pública y Sistema Penitenciario Estatales 2017: Presentación de resultados generales”. Censo Nacional de Gobierno 2017. Updated: August 30th, 2018. Available online: http://www.beta.inegi.org.mx/contenidos/programas/cngspspe/2017/doc/cngspspe_2017_resultados.pdf</ref>), it is noted that from 2011 to 2015, State prisons had an average of 120% overcrowding, with 100% being the maximum capacity of prisoners per jail. This problem is accentuated by the fact that a fairly significant part of the incarcerated population was deprived of their freedom without ever having a judicial conviction. In 2016, for example, sixty thousand and twenty-one people of the inmates, 35% of the total incarcerated population, had no sentence. At the end of 2016, one hundred and eighty-eight thousand two hundred and sixty-two people were confined in prisons and one thousand nine hundred and thirteen in treatment and/or detention centers for adolescents.<ref>“En Números: Estadísticas sobre el sistema penitenciario estatal en México”. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (2017). Available online: http://www.cdeunodc.inegi.org.mx/unodc/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/en_numeros2.pdf.</ref>
  
 
==Type of Legal System==
 
==Type of Legal System==
  
The Mexican legal system can trace its roots back to 16th century Spanish law and pre-Colombian Indigenous law. This included law that was introduced particularly for colonial Mexico that was not present in Spain <ref>http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/mexico1.htm</ref> . The Mexican legal tradition is civil, with the hierarchy of sources of law being first the Constitution, then legislation, then regulation, and finally, custom<ref>Ibid</ref>.
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Having been part of Nueva España, one of the Spanish colonies, Mexico adopted and continues to have a civil legal system adopted from the Spanish, who in turn adopted the Napoleonic civil law system. The Mexican legal system can thus trace its roots back to 16th century Spanish law and pre-Colombian Indigenous law. This included law that was introduced particularly for colonial Mexico that was not present in Spain <ref>http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/mexico1.htm</ref>.  
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The civil law tradition generally follows an inquisitorial model of criminal procedure. However, after substantial reforms throughout the course of Mexico’s history and the influence of different legal systems, Mexico’s legal tradition is unique <ref>David Shirk “Justice Reform in Mexico: Change and Challenges in the Judicial Sector” Wilson Center. Page 214. http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/Chapter%207-%20Justice%20Reform%20in%20Mexico,%20Change%20and%20Challenges%20in%20the%20Judicial%20Sector.pdf</ref>  Under the leadership of President Felipe Calderón (2006-2012), significant reforms were introduced in 2008, to be implemented federally and throughout the country by 2016.  
 
The civil law tradition generally follows an inquisitorial model of criminal procedure. However, after substantial reforms throughout the course of Mexico’s history and the influence of different legal systems, Mexico’s legal tradition is unique <ref>David Shirk “Justice Reform in Mexico: Change and Challenges in the Judicial Sector” Wilson Center. Page 214. http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/Chapter%207-%20Justice%20Reform%20in%20Mexico,%20Change%20and%20Challenges%20in%20the%20Judicial%20Sector.pdf</ref>  Under the leadership of President Felipe Calderón (2006-2012), significant reforms were introduced in 2008, to be implemented federally and throughout the country by 2016.  
  
These reforms brought changes to criminal procedure, including a shift to a more adversarial model similar to that of the United States. Additionally, these reforms give greater attention to the rights of the accused, changed the role of the police in criminal investigations, and created specific actions to combat organized crime<ref>Supra note 5 page 216</ref>.
 
  
By the end of 2012, of Mexico’s 32 states, 22 had ratified the new criminal procedure codes, but only 12 had begun to put them into operation <ref>Clare RibandoSeelke, “Supporting Criminal Justice System Reform in Mexico: The US Role” Congressional Research Service (2013) i</ref>. While the reforms suggested are admirable, they have been criticized as attempting to do too much with too few resources in an unrealistic time frame <ref>Supra note 5 page 237</ref>. It is hopeful that current President Enrique Peña Nieto has reaffirmed his commitment to reforming the justice system
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These reforms brought changes to criminal procedure, including a shift to a more adversarial model similar to that of the United States. Additionally, these reforms give greater attention to the rights of the accused, changed the role of the police in criminal investigations, and created specific actions to combat organized crime<ref>Supra note 5 page 216</ref>. The sources of criminal legislation expressed in the Código Penal Federal (Federal Criminal Code [CPF]) Código Federal de ProcedimientosPenales(Federal Code of Criminal Procedure [CFPP]); these set the standard for the state-level criminal codes and codes of criminal procedure, though there is significant variation from state-to-state <ref>Ibidpage 214</ref>.  
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==Legal situation of the rights of the accused==
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The sources of criminal legislation expressed in the Código Penal Federal (Federal Criminal Code [CPF]) Código Federal de ProcedimientosPenales(Federal Code of Criminal Procedure [CFPP]); these set the standard for the state-level criminal codes and codes of criminal procedure, though there is significant variation from state-to-state <ref>Ibidpage 214</ref>.  
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In Mexico, one of the most relevant procedural rights is the right to an adequate and immediate legal advice and defense. Therefore, understanding it as a fundamental and inalienable right, every accused must exercise this adjective right through their defender, who must necessarily be a lawyer with a professional license and must assist the accused from their detention until the conclusion of the procedure.
  
==Source of defendants’ rights==
 
  
The Constitución Política de los EstadosUnidos Mexicanos (the Constitution) is the primary source of defendant’s rights. Defendant’s rights in criminal proceedings are found in Capítulo 1, de los DerechosHumanos y susGarantías(Chapter 1, Human Rights and Guarantees), primarily in artículos13 to 24 <ref>http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/htm/1.htm</ref>. Artículo 29 also protects these fundamental rights by stating that the decrees issued in the Constitution are not to be used to restrict or suspend the rights to no discrimination, recognition of legal personality, life, personal integrity, protection of the family, name and nationality; rights of the child; political rights; freedom of though, conscience, and religion; principles of legality and retroactivity of laws; the prohibition of the death penalty, the prohibition of slavery and servitude; and the prohibition of forced disappearance and torture.  
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The defenders of the accused may be either hired lawyers or the State may provide public defenders or ex officio, which are free for the accused. Victims of a crime, if any, also have the right to have a free legal advisor at any stage of the procedure, but this right of the victim is optional.
  
Mexico also acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1981, of which Article 14 is most important when considering the rights of those accused of a crime. This includes a number of due process rights, equality before the courts and tribunals, and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, given the hierarchy of the Mexican legal tradition, international treaties and agreements are trumped by the Constitution <ref>http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/mexico1.htm</ref> .
 
  
The 2008 reforms include some of ICCPR provisions, such as a specific ban on the use of torture, the presumption of innocence, protections to reinforce due process, and the requirement that all defendants have professional legal representation <ref>Supra note 5 pages223 and 228</ref>.  
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In principle, as established by legislation, the jurisdictional bodies have the obligation not to give preference or unequal treatment to the accused and their cases because they have private or public defenders; however, the quality of the defense of public attorneys is usually very questionable and, in addition, judicial impartiality in Mexico is not always guaranteed. Consequently, it is advisable to hire attorneys or to find free defense services from non-governmental organizations.
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The following non-governmental organizations stand out in Mexico, offering free of charge defense services to the accused, as well as counseling victims of crime: Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights (Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos), Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center (Centro de Derechos Humanos Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez), United Mexico Pro Human Rights (México Unido Pro Derechos Humanos) and Human Rights Center Paso del Norte (Centro de Derechos Humanos Paso del Norte).
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==Pre-trial Procedures==
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The Mexican criminal procedure, according to the latest legislative reform, is divided into two stages: investigation and the proper trial.
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===Initial Investigation===
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Once the criminal complaint has been filed by the offended party, the Public Prosecutor's Office has the obligation to conduct the investigation, having the investigative police at its command for that purpose.
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In the beginning, the Public Prosecutor is not bound to give access to the investigation records to the accused, until one of the following situations happens: a) that the accused is in custody, b) that the Public Prosecutor summons him in order to obtain the suspect’s statement, or c) prior to the suspect´s first hearing before a control judge. However, this provision is subject to judicial interpretation, since various courts have considered that it violates the defendant´s right of defense, which must prevail from the moment a person is identified as likely to be responsible for a crime (Barreto Leiva v. Venezuela case, judgment issued on November 17, 2009 by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights).
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An important change in the new Mexican criminal system is that, within the investigation stage, all the parties (accused, defender, victim and legal counsel) have the right to participate in the criminal process on equal terms with the Public Prosecutor. That is, they can carry out investigative actions and can request authorization from the judicial authority to carry out investigation techniques that require judicial control (searches, intervention of private communications, among others).
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The National Code of Criminal Procedures does not establish a maximum duration of this initial investigation period. Once the Public Prosecutor's Office considers that the necessary elements exist to prove that an offense or crime was committed, and that there is a possibility that the accused participated in its commission, it has the authority to request an imputation formulation hearing before a control judge.
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Other cases in which a person must be taken immediately to such a hearing before a control judge is when they are arrested in flagrante delicto or by arrest warrant.
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==Proper Trial Phase==
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===Hearing of accusation and linking to process===
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In this hearing, the parties to the process are summoned to a hearing before a control judge. Two of the most relevant principles of criminal proceedings in this judicial phase are the orality of all hearings and judicial impartiality.  This means that the judge who will decide the hearing cannot have prior knowledge of the criminal debate that will be submitted for consideration. Moreover, the judge does not have access to the records contained in the investigation file, so the parties have to be sufficiently skilled to be able to present a convincing theory of the case for the judicial authority, since the latter will only be able to resolve based on what the parties orally transmit.
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In this hearing, the Public Prosecutor must formulate the accusation, via a narrative that establishes the facts that prove the crime and the probable responsibility of the accused in its commission. Likewise, the Public Prosecutor must explain to the judge how the records of the file are related in order to prove his accusation. Once the accused hears the accusation, he or she can reply to it or exercise his or her right to remain silent.
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Once the aforementioned has happened, the control judge will ask the accused if it is his or her wish that his or her legal situation be resolved at that moment, or if he or she prefers to adhere to the constitutional period of 72 or 144 hours. The latter may allow the accused to analyze the accusation and gather sufficient evidence to dispel his probable responsibility.
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In this hearing that is meant to resolve the legal situation of the accused, the control judge must estimate based on the evidence offered by the parties if he or she considers it necessary to link the accused to the process or not. In case the accused is linked to the process, a complementary investigation stage will follow for a maximum of 6 months, which will be under judicial supervision. Only in case the Public Prosecutor's Office considers that there is sufficient evidence to prove the criminal responsibility of the accused, does it make an accusation (only stage that happens in writing) and asks for an order to begin a trial.
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Only in cases that merit preventive detention (intentional homicide, carrying a weapon, robbery to motor transport of cargo, acts of corruption, genocide, rape, treason, espionage, terrorism, sabotage, corruption of minors, trafficking of minors, organized crime and crimes against health), is the accused given mandatory prison. In other crimes, if requested for, the Public Prosecutor's Office has to prove why said precautionary measure is the only appropriate for the continuation of the process.
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===Intermediate hearing===
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The purpose of the intermediate stage is to offer and admit the means of evidence, as well as to clarify the disputed facts that will be the subject of the trial (that is, the parties may enter into evidentiary agreements to reduce the burden of trial).
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This stage will consist of two phases, one written and one oral. The written phase will begin with the indictment made by the Public Prosecutor and will include all the acts prior to the holding of the intermediate hearing. The second phase will begin with the intermediate hearing and will culminate with the issuance of the decision to begin the trial.
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This hearing is the last opportunity that the parties have to offer the evidence that will be presented for trial, with the exception of the supervening ones.
  
Defendant rights are also expressed in the CFPP, which outlines the process of criminal procedures.
 
  
Artículo: 13 (no trial using underinclusive laws or special courts), 14 (laws not applied retroactively), 16 (warrants and indictments), 17 (fair trial), 18 (prisons, preventive custody), 19 (72-hours for suspects in judicial custody), 20 (privileges and immunities of defendants), 21 (authorities to punish criminal offences), 22 (against torture and unusual punishments), 23 (no one put on trial twice for the same crime, no criminal trial to have more than 3 instances), 24 (no crime related to the practice of religion as long as it is lawful).
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===Trial hearings===
  
==Police Procedures==
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The trial hearing begins with the presentation and deposition of evidence offered by the parties at the intermediate hearing, including questioning witnesses and expert evidence. Once the parties have deliberated at the hearing, the trial court proceeds to issue a decision that acquits or convicts the accused.
  
===Complaint/Information===
 
  
Complaints are received by the public prosecutor<ref>Código Federal de Procedimientos Penales,Article 2(I).</ref>.
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==Recourses==
  
===Arrest===
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The National Code of Criminal Procedures<ref>National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cnpp.htm</ref>  only recognizes the revocation and appeal recourses. In case the accused wants to combat the ruling issued by the trial court, the appeal will be resolved by a court of appeal from the same local or federal judicial power.
  
The executing authority of an arrest shall put the indicted individual under a judge’s jurisdiction without delay. This authority is accountable for any wrongdoing that occurs during the arrest. The violation of these rules is considered a criminal offense. In the case of blatant criminal offense, any person shall have the power to arrest the perpetrator and then hand him/her to the closest authority, who shall in turn hand the perpetrator over to the closest public prosecutor<ref>Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Article 16</ref>.
 
  
===Pre-Trial Detention===
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==Amparo==
  
Once suspects are detained, their case is to be registered with the Public Ministry immediately<ref>Código Federal de Procedimientos Penales, Article 2(IV)</ref>. No more than 48 hours after the arrest has taken place, the defendant will be notified in a public hearing about the nature of the accusation<ref>Código Federal de Procedimientos Penales, 20A(II)</ref>.  The Constitution states that the accused shall be tried within 4 month if charged with an offense whose maximum penalty does not exceed 2 years imprisonment and within a year if the maximum penalty is greater<ref>Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Article 20A (VIII</ref>.  
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In accordance with articles 103 and 107 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States<ref>Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpeum.htm</ref>, all acts or omissions of authority that violate recognized human rights granted for their protection by the Constitution, as well as international treaties of which Mexico is a party, can be fought through protection of amparo, either direct or indirect, which will be resolved by a federal court.
  
===Searches===
 
  
To obtain a search warrant, the existence of evidence or information that leads to the reasonable assumption that the accused was present during the crime will suffice<ref>Código Federal de Procedimientos Penales,Article 63</ref>.  
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'''''a. Indirect amparo'''''
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All acts or omissions that violate human rights within the criminal process, and that do not expressly admit an appeal for revocation or appeal, can be fought through indirect protection that will be heard by a district judge.
  
===Interrogation===
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'''''b. Direct amparo'''''
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The decision issued by the trial court, once it is confirmed, revoked or modified by the appeals court, if it is considered that it violates human rights, can be fought through direct protection, which will be heard by a collegiate court.
  
Article 20(a)(ii) of the Constitution states that no one shall be compelled to make a statement. Any use of intimidation, torture or solitary confinement shall be forbidden and punished under criminal law. Suspects’ confessions will be valid only when made before a public prosecutor or judge. In both cases the suspect’s lawyer shall be present. A confession made to any other authority shall not be used as evidence in a court of law.
 
  
==Rights of the Accused: Criminal Law System==
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==Sources of defendants's rights==
  
'''''Double Jeopardy'''''
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The rights of the accused are protected by the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States<ref>Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpeum.htm.</ref> and the international treaties of which Mexico is a ratified State-Party, the National Code of Criminal Procedures <ref>National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cnpp.htm.</ref> and the state and federal criminal codes applicable to each case<ref>Federal Criminal Code (Código Penal Federal). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpf.htm.</ref>.
  
The Mexican Constitution recognizes the principle of double jeopardy in that no one can be tried for the same crime twice. Located under artículo 23, no criminal trial can have more than three instances, and no one can be tried twice for the same crime, whether or not the accused was acquitted or convicted.
 
  
'''''Legality Principle'''''
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Mexico also acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1981, of which Article 14 is most important when considering the rights of those accused of a crime. This includes a number of due process rights, equality before the courts and tribunals, and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, given the hierarchy of the Mexican legal tradition, international treaties and agreements are trumped by the Constitution <ref>http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/mexico1.htm</ref> .
  
The legality principle is the idea that laws are clear, accessible and understandable by all, and non-retroactive. Non-retroactivity means that a person cannot be charged for a crime that did not exist or was not enforced at the time the person was charged. This principle is found in Artículo 14 of the Constitution.  
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The 2008 reforms include some of ICCPR provisions, such as a specific ban on the use of torture, the presumption of innocence, protections to reinforce due process, and the requirement that all defendants have professional legal representation <ref>Supra note 5 pages223 and 228</ref>.  
  
'''''Presumption of Innocence'''''
 
  
Mexico has in the past been criticized as having a “guilty until proven innocent” standard<ref>http://www.mexonline.com/lawreview.htm</ref>.  However, with the 2008 reforms, the presumption of innocence standard is being implemented throughout the Mexican criminal justice system. The extent to which this standard has been adopted throughout the States is currently difficult to discern. This standard has not been codified in the Constitution or the CFPP.
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Crimes are prosecuted by the local jurisdiction in principle, unless any of the cases contained in Article 50 of the Organic Law of the Judicial Power of the Federation<ref>Organic Law of the Judicial Power of the Federation (Ley Orgánica del Poder Judicial de la Federación). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/lopjf.htm</ref> happens, which are the following:
  
However, this right is guaranteed by Article 14(2) of the ICCPR.
 
  
'''''Procedure with Witnesses'''''
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a. Crimes provided for in federal laws and international treaties, provided that, among others, they are committed abroad by Mexican diplomatic agents, or within Mexican representations abroad; if the Federation is a passive subject; if committed by a public servant or federal employee, or committed against him, by the exercise of his or her functions; if the President, office Ministries, the Attorney General of the Republic, the deputies and senators to Congress, the justices, magistrates and judges of the Federal Judicial Power, the members of the Council of the Federal Judicature, the magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Power of the Federation, the members of the General Council of the Federal Electoral Institute, the president of the National Commission of Human Rights (Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos), the directors or members of the Governing Boards or their equivalents of the decentralized organisms; those perpetrated due to the operation of a federal public service, even if said service is decentralized or concessioned; those perpetrated against the operation of a federal public service or in impairment of the goods affected to the satisfaction of said service, even if it is decentralized or concessioned;
  
Before giving their testimony, witnesses are instructed on the penalties of the Criminal Code for giving false statements and refusing to testify. Witnesses then take an oath, swearing to tell the truth, and are then instructed to give personal information such as full name, age, place of origin, etc., and any relationship they have to the accused. The public prosecutor, the accused, the defence, and the victim(s) all have the right to cross-examine the witness. This is all recorded. When the witness is finished giving his or her statement, he/she may review it, ratify or amend it, and then sign it<ref>Código Federal de Procedimientos Penales,Articles 247-257</ref>.
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b. International abduction of minors;
  
'''''Capital Punishment'''''
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c. Extradition proceedings;
  
Capital punishment was officially abolished in 2005, though in civil cases it has not been used since 1937, and since 1961 in military cases. The prohibition on the death penalty is found in the Constitution under artículo 29.
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d. Authorizations to intervene in any private communication; as well as for the authorizations of the geographic location in real time or the delivery of conserved data of communication equipment associated with a line;
  
==Due Process Rights==
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e. Those of the common jurisdiction with respect to which the Public Prosecutor of the Federation has exercised attraction;
  
'''''Freedom from Prolonged Pre-Trial Detention'''''
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f. Any other provided for by special laws, among which are some cases of kidnapping, money laundering, carrying weapons for the exclusive use of the army, etc.
  
The Constitution states that the accused shall be tried within 4 month if charged with an offense whose maximum penalty does not exceed 2 years imprisonment and within a year if the maximum penalty is greater.
 
  
'''''Right to Counsel'''''
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==Rights of the Accused in the different stages of the criminal procedure==
  
Article 20(IX) outlines the requirements for the accused’s representation. The accused may represent his or herself, or may be represented by counsel. Should the accused have no one to defend him or her, a list of counsel will be provided, or otherwise the court can appoint counsel for his or her defense.  
+
The criminal procedure is governed by several principles and the rights of those under trial in the proceedings, which are mainly provided for in the National Code of Criminal Procedures<ref>National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cnpp.htm</ref>. These principles and rights are mainly the following:
  
'''''Right to ''Habeas Corpus'''''''
 
  
The right to habeas corpus is found in Mexican law as the law of amparo. This is a special writ of protection or injunction common to Latin American countries. It is a right of constitutional protection, when the accused believes his or her constitutional or other rights are being violated, they can invoke amparo.  
+
'''''• Publicity principle''''' - Hearings of the proceedings will be public, with some exceptions, allowing the media to have access.
  
'''''Right to Notice of Charges'''''
+
'''''• Contradiction principle''''' - The parties may hear, challenge or confront the evidence, as well as oppose the petitions and allegations of the other party.
  
Under Article 20(iii) of the Constitution, the accused is to be notified within 48 hours of arrest the name of his or her accuser, and the nature of and cause for the accusation.
+
'''''• Continuity principle''''' - Excluding exceptional cases, the procedures will be carried out continuously, successively and sequentially.
  
'''''Right to a Speedy Trial'''''
+
'''''• Consolidation principle''''' - Efforts will be made to consolidate the corresponding evidence stage in a single hearing or, if necessary, to extend it in consecutive days. Due to this principle, the accumulation of cases can also be requested in certain cases.
  
The right to a speedy trial is found within Artículo 17 of the Constitution, which holds that all persons have the right to an expedient, thorough, and impartial trial.
+
'''''• Immediacy principle''''' - This principle establishes that the parties involved and the competent judge of each case should participate in all proceedings.  
  
'''''Right to Independent and Impartial Court'''''
+
'''''• Equal treatment before the law principle''''' - All people should receive the same treatment, without any discrimination, and have the same opportunity to defend their position.
  
The right to an independent and impartial court is found within Artículo 17 of the Constitution, which holds that all persons have the right to an expedient, thorough, and impartial trial.
+
'''''• Equal treatment between the parties involved.'''''
  
'''''Right to a Fair Trial'''''
+
'''''• Previous trial and due process principle''''' - No one can be sentenced to a conviction or subjected to a security measure, if it is not by virtue of a judicial decision issued in accordance with the law, based on a fair trial and with strict adherence to the human rights provided for in the Constitution, treaties and other laws that provide for human rights.
  
The right to a fair trial is found within Artículo 17 of the Constitution, which holds that all persons have the right to an expedient, thorough, and impartial trial.
+
'''''• Presumption of innocence principle''''' - In the Mexican legal system, every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty and a judicial decision declaring his or her responsibility is issued. Every person must be treated based on this presumption of innocence during the entire procedure, up to the moment of the issuance of the sentence that defines, where appropriate, his or her responsibility.
  
This right is also expressed in Article 14(1) of the ICCPR, which states that all people have a right to a “fair and public hearing.
+
'''''• Double trial prohibition principle''''' - No one can be subjected to a second criminal process for facts already resolved in another.
  
'''''Right to non Self-Discrimination'''''
+
'''''• Intimacy and privacy principle''''' - This principle protects the privacy and personal data of the people involved in a criminal procedure.
  
Article 20(II) provides that no accused will be forced to be a witness against him or herself.
+
'''''• Prompt justice right''''' - This right, which is related to the principle of continuity, is intended to ensure that people are judged within the legally established deadlines and that the authorities respond to the parties´ petitions promptly, without causing unwarranted delays.
  
'''''Freedom from Punishment'''''
+
'''''• Right to an adequate and immediate legal advice and defense''''' - As it was previously explained, “defense” is a fundamental and inalienable right, for which the accused must exercise it through a public or private defender.
  
Artículo 22 forbids the use of punishments, such as forms of torture, beating, excessive fines and excessive seizures of property. However, it goes on to outline the cases in which seizure of property may be permitted.
+
'''''• Guarantee of being duly informed of your rights''''' - Both the victim and the accused have the right to know their rights.
  
'''''Right to Appeal'''''
+
'''''Right of respect of the person´s freedom''''' - No one can be deprived of freedom without a warrant from the judicial authority, except for the exceptions provided for in the laws, as in the case of an in flagrante delicto. Moreover, preventive detention is exceptional.
  
Appeals are designed to examine whether the applicable law applied in the decision was not applied correctly, whether regulatory principles were violated, or if facts were altered, unfounded, or not reasoned correctly.  The accused will have the right to appeal in such cases.
 
  
 +
Likewise, articles 14, 16 and 20 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States<ref>Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpeum.htm</ref> establish various substantive rights in favor of any person accused in the commission of a crime, or of the rest of the parties in the criminal process. Among others, these rights and guarantees are the following: prohibition of non-retroactivity of the law to the detriment of any person, prohibition of analogy in criminal trials, inviolability of private communications, right to adequate defense, right to reparation of damages, presumption of innocence and the right to remain silent.
  
  
 +
==Additional Resources==
  
  
<ref></ref>
+
“Reforma penal 2008-2016: El Sistema Penal Acusatorio en México”. Coordinator: Arely Gómez González. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Penales.<ref>“Reforma penal 2008-2016: El Sistema Penal Acusatorio en México”. Coordinator: Arely Gómez González. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Penales. November, 2016. Available online: http://www.inacipe.gob.mx/stories/publicaciones/novedades/ReformaPenal2008-2016.pdf.</ref>
-----
 
See [[Criminal Justice Systems Around the World]]
 
{{Languages|Mexico}}
 
__NOTOC__
 

Latest revision as of 14:43, 11 July 2019

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CODES

LEGAL TRAINING RESOURCE CENTER

Background

Mexico is a federal republic formed by thirty-two States. The legislation and jurisdiction of the criminal legal system responds to this administrative organization, leaving therefore federal crimes and state crimes according to their corresponding codes. The federal system governs crimes within the federal jurisdiction (including serious crimes such as drug possession, alien smuggling, and some firearms charges) . Each of Mexico’s 31 states have their own criminal codes and codes of criminal procedure; serious crimes within state-level jurisdiction include homicide, kidnap, rape, possession of a deadly weapon, and property damage. The municipal systems govern minor infractions.

Before the reform carried out in 2008 regarding the constitutional system in criminal matters, Mexico had an inquisitive criminal system, with bureaucratic, delayed and completely written procedures in which it was common for judges to not have direct contact with the suspect. The 2008 reform, which entered into force throughout the national territory until 2016, introduced a criminal system that is meant to guarantee human rights and has accusatory adversarial courts in Mexico. In this new system, it is mandatory to hold public hearings with the presence of a judge and parties; preventive detention is no longer the rule, but the exception, prioritizing the presumption of innocence; the process is more efficient and all the evidence in a case is released in the same hearing (with certain exceptions) in which the judge must necessarily be present and whom orally has to explain the evaluation of the evidence.


For the proper functioning of this new system, the National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales[1]) was drafted, which abrogated the existing procedural criminal codes for each State, as well as procedural federal code. The purpose of this new code is to standardize the national criminal procedure (both of the States and at the federal level) and establish the rules to be observed in the investigation, prosecution and punishment of crimes, to clarify the facts, protect the innocent, ensure that the culprit does not go unpunished and that the damage is repaired, and thus contribute to ensuring access to justice. Despite this, it remains questionable how much justice has been achieved in this area. As in several countries in Latin America, access to justice in Mexico is quite unequal.


The latest legislative reform updated Mexico from the backlog in the administration of justice and protection of human rights, but there are still lags in the system. To mention some examples, in matters of infrastructure, adequate spaces are still needed for oral trials and, in matters of training, the Public Prosecutor, the police, judges and lawyers are mostly outdated. In addition, the workload for public prosecutors and public defenders is extremely high; this does not allow the rights enshrined in the criminal reform to materialize. Even more worrisome is the fact that due to the procedural structure set forth in the National Code of Criminal Procedures, one could pay attention to the fabrication of guilty parties, torture of the accused and impunity. Finally, levels of corruption by the operators of the justice system remain high.


Additionally, the penitentiary centers administered by the Mexican States are, in their majority, overpopulated. In a study conducted from 2011 to 2017 by the National Census of Government, Public Safety and State Penitentiary System (Censo Nacional de Gobierno, Seguridad Pública y Sistema Penitenciario Estatales[2]), it is noted that from 2011 to 2015, State prisons had an average of 120% overcrowding, with 100% being the maximum capacity of prisoners per jail. This problem is accentuated by the fact that a fairly significant part of the incarcerated population was deprived of their freedom without ever having a judicial conviction. In 2016, for example, sixty thousand and twenty-one people of the inmates, 35% of the total incarcerated population, had no sentence. At the end of 2016, one hundred and eighty-eight thousand two hundred and sixty-two people were confined in prisons and one thousand nine hundred and thirteen in treatment and/or detention centers for adolescents.[3]

Type of Legal System

Having been part of Nueva España, one of the Spanish colonies, Mexico adopted and continues to have a civil legal system adopted from the Spanish, who in turn adopted the Napoleonic civil law system. The Mexican legal system can thus trace its roots back to 16th century Spanish law and pre-Colombian Indigenous law. This included law that was introduced particularly for colonial Mexico that was not present in Spain [4].


The civil law tradition generally follows an inquisitorial model of criminal procedure. However, after substantial reforms throughout the course of Mexico’s history and the influence of different legal systems, Mexico’s legal tradition is unique [5] Under the leadership of President Felipe Calderón (2006-2012), significant reforms were introduced in 2008, to be implemented federally and throughout the country by 2016.


These reforms brought changes to criminal procedure, including a shift to a more adversarial model similar to that of the United States. Additionally, these reforms give greater attention to the rights of the accused, changed the role of the police in criminal investigations, and created specific actions to combat organized crime[6]. The sources of criminal legislation expressed in the Código Penal Federal (Federal Criminal Code [CPF]) Código Federal de ProcedimientosPenales(Federal Code of Criminal Procedure [CFPP]); these set the standard for the state-level criminal codes and codes of criminal procedure, though there is significant variation from state-to-state [7].


Legal situation of the rights of the accused

In Mexico, one of the most relevant procedural rights is the right to an adequate and immediate legal advice and defense. Therefore, understanding it as a fundamental and inalienable right, every accused must exercise this adjective right through their defender, who must necessarily be a lawyer with a professional license and must assist the accused from their detention until the conclusion of the procedure.


The defenders of the accused may be either hired lawyers or the State may provide public defenders or ex officio, which are free for the accused. Victims of a crime, if any, also have the right to have a free legal advisor at any stage of the procedure, but this right of the victim is optional.


In principle, as established by legislation, the jurisdictional bodies have the obligation not to give preference or unequal treatment to the accused and their cases because they have private or public defenders; however, the quality of the defense of public attorneys is usually very questionable and, in addition, judicial impartiality in Mexico is not always guaranteed. Consequently, it is advisable to hire attorneys or to find free defense services from non-governmental organizations.


The following non-governmental organizations stand out in Mexico, offering free of charge defense services to the accused, as well as counseling victims of crime: Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights (Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos), Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center (Centro de Derechos Humanos Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez), United Mexico Pro Human Rights (México Unido Pro Derechos Humanos) and Human Rights Center Paso del Norte (Centro de Derechos Humanos Paso del Norte).


Pre-trial Procedures

The Mexican criminal procedure, according to the latest legislative reform, is divided into two stages: investigation and the proper trial.


Initial Investigation

Once the criminal complaint has been filed by the offended party, the Public Prosecutor's Office has the obligation to conduct the investigation, having the investigative police at its command for that purpose.


In the beginning, the Public Prosecutor is not bound to give access to the investigation records to the accused, until one of the following situations happens: a) that the accused is in custody, b) that the Public Prosecutor summons him in order to obtain the suspect’s statement, or c) prior to the suspect´s first hearing before a control judge. However, this provision is subject to judicial interpretation, since various courts have considered that it violates the defendant´s right of defense, which must prevail from the moment a person is identified as likely to be responsible for a crime (Barreto Leiva v. Venezuela case, judgment issued on November 17, 2009 by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights).


An important change in the new Mexican criminal system is that, within the investigation stage, all the parties (accused, defender, victim and legal counsel) have the right to participate in the criminal process on equal terms with the Public Prosecutor. That is, they can carry out investigative actions and can request authorization from the judicial authority to carry out investigation techniques that require judicial control (searches, intervention of private communications, among others).


The National Code of Criminal Procedures does not establish a maximum duration of this initial investigation period. Once the Public Prosecutor's Office considers that the necessary elements exist to prove that an offense or crime was committed, and that there is a possibility that the accused participated in its commission, it has the authority to request an imputation formulation hearing before a control judge.

Other cases in which a person must be taken immediately to such a hearing before a control judge is when they are arrested in flagrante delicto or by arrest warrant.


Proper Trial Phase

Hearing of accusation and linking to process

In this hearing, the parties to the process are summoned to a hearing before a control judge. Two of the most relevant principles of criminal proceedings in this judicial phase are the orality of all hearings and judicial impartiality. This means that the judge who will decide the hearing cannot have prior knowledge of the criminal debate that will be submitted for consideration. Moreover, the judge does not have access to the records contained in the investigation file, so the parties have to be sufficiently skilled to be able to present a convincing theory of the case for the judicial authority, since the latter will only be able to resolve based on what the parties orally transmit.


In this hearing, the Public Prosecutor must formulate the accusation, via a narrative that establishes the facts that prove the crime and the probable responsibility of the accused in its commission. Likewise, the Public Prosecutor must explain to the judge how the records of the file are related in order to prove his accusation. Once the accused hears the accusation, he or she can reply to it or exercise his or her right to remain silent.


Once the aforementioned has happened, the control judge will ask the accused if it is his or her wish that his or her legal situation be resolved at that moment, or if he or she prefers to adhere to the constitutional period of 72 or 144 hours. The latter may allow the accused to analyze the accusation and gather sufficient evidence to dispel his probable responsibility.


In this hearing that is meant to resolve the legal situation of the accused, the control judge must estimate based on the evidence offered by the parties if he or she considers it necessary to link the accused to the process or not. In case the accused is linked to the process, a complementary investigation stage will follow for a maximum of 6 months, which will be under judicial supervision. Only in case the Public Prosecutor's Office considers that there is sufficient evidence to prove the criminal responsibility of the accused, does it make an accusation (only stage that happens in writing) and asks for an order to begin a trial.


Only in cases that merit preventive detention (intentional homicide, carrying a weapon, robbery to motor transport of cargo, acts of corruption, genocide, rape, treason, espionage, terrorism, sabotage, corruption of minors, trafficking of minors, organized crime and crimes against health), is the accused given mandatory prison. In other crimes, if requested for, the Public Prosecutor's Office has to prove why said precautionary measure is the only appropriate for the continuation of the process.


Intermediate hearing

The purpose of the intermediate stage is to offer and admit the means of evidence, as well as to clarify the disputed facts that will be the subject of the trial (that is, the parties may enter into evidentiary agreements to reduce the burden of trial).

This stage will consist of two phases, one written and one oral. The written phase will begin with the indictment made by the Public Prosecutor and will include all the acts prior to the holding of the intermediate hearing. The second phase will begin with the intermediate hearing and will culminate with the issuance of the decision to begin the trial.

This hearing is the last opportunity that the parties have to offer the evidence that will be presented for trial, with the exception of the supervening ones.


Trial hearings

The trial hearing begins with the presentation and deposition of evidence offered by the parties at the intermediate hearing, including questioning witnesses and expert evidence. Once the parties have deliberated at the hearing, the trial court proceeds to issue a decision that acquits or convicts the accused.


Recourses

The National Code of Criminal Procedures[8] only recognizes the revocation and appeal recourses. In case the accused wants to combat the ruling issued by the trial court, the appeal will be resolved by a court of appeal from the same local or federal judicial power.


Amparo

In accordance with articles 103 and 107 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States[9], all acts or omissions of authority that violate recognized human rights granted for their protection by the Constitution, as well as international treaties of which Mexico is a party, can be fought through protection of amparo, either direct or indirect, which will be resolved by a federal court.


a. Indirect amparo All acts or omissions that violate human rights within the criminal process, and that do not expressly admit an appeal for revocation or appeal, can be fought through indirect protection that will be heard by a district judge.

b. Direct amparo The decision issued by the trial court, once it is confirmed, revoked or modified by the appeals court, if it is considered that it violates human rights, can be fought through direct protection, which will be heard by a collegiate court.


Sources of defendants's rights

The rights of the accused are protected by the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States[10] and the international treaties of which Mexico is a ratified State-Party, the National Code of Criminal Procedures [11] and the state and federal criminal codes applicable to each case[12].


Mexico also acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1981, of which Article 14 is most important when considering the rights of those accused of a crime. This includes a number of due process rights, equality before the courts and tribunals, and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, given the hierarchy of the Mexican legal tradition, international treaties and agreements are trumped by the Constitution [13] .

The 2008 reforms include some of ICCPR provisions, such as a specific ban on the use of torture, the presumption of innocence, protections to reinforce due process, and the requirement that all defendants have professional legal representation [14].


Crimes are prosecuted by the local jurisdiction in principle, unless any of the cases contained in Article 50 of the Organic Law of the Judicial Power of the Federation[15] happens, which are the following:


a. Crimes provided for in federal laws and international treaties, provided that, among others, they are committed abroad by Mexican diplomatic agents, or within Mexican representations abroad; if the Federation is a passive subject; if committed by a public servant or federal employee, or committed against him, by the exercise of his or her functions; if the President, office Ministries, the Attorney General of the Republic, the deputies and senators to Congress, the justices, magistrates and judges of the Federal Judicial Power, the members of the Council of the Federal Judicature, the magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Power of the Federation, the members of the General Council of the Federal Electoral Institute, the president of the National Commission of Human Rights (Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos), the directors or members of the Governing Boards or their equivalents of the decentralized organisms; those perpetrated due to the operation of a federal public service, even if said service is decentralized or concessioned; those perpetrated against the operation of a federal public service or in impairment of the goods affected to the satisfaction of said service, even if it is decentralized or concessioned;

b. International abduction of minors;

c. Extradition proceedings;

d. Authorizations to intervene in any private communication; as well as for the authorizations of the geographic location in real time or the delivery of conserved data of communication equipment associated with a line;

e. Those of the common jurisdiction with respect to which the Public Prosecutor of the Federation has exercised attraction;

f. Any other provided for by special laws, among which are some cases of kidnapping, money laundering, carrying weapons for the exclusive use of the army, etc.


Rights of the Accused in the different stages of the criminal procedure

The criminal procedure is governed by several principles and the rights of those under trial in the proceedings, which are mainly provided for in the National Code of Criminal Procedures[16]. These principles and rights are mainly the following:


• Publicity principle - Hearings of the proceedings will be public, with some exceptions, allowing the media to have access.

• Contradiction principle - The parties may hear, challenge or confront the evidence, as well as oppose the petitions and allegations of the other party.

• Continuity principle - Excluding exceptional cases, the procedures will be carried out continuously, successively and sequentially.

• Consolidation principle - Efforts will be made to consolidate the corresponding evidence stage in a single hearing or, if necessary, to extend it in consecutive days. Due to this principle, the accumulation of cases can also be requested in certain cases.

• Immediacy principle - This principle establishes that the parties involved and the competent judge of each case should participate in all proceedings.

• Equal treatment before the law principle - All people should receive the same treatment, without any discrimination, and have the same opportunity to defend their position.

• Equal treatment between the parties involved.

• Previous trial and due process principle - No one can be sentenced to a conviction or subjected to a security measure, if it is not by virtue of a judicial decision issued in accordance with the law, based on a fair trial and with strict adherence to the human rights provided for in the Constitution, treaties and other laws that provide for human rights.

• Presumption of innocence principle - In the Mexican legal system, every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty and a judicial decision declaring his or her responsibility is issued. Every person must be treated based on this presumption of innocence during the entire procedure, up to the moment of the issuance of the sentence that defines, where appropriate, his or her responsibility.

• Double trial prohibition principle - No one can be subjected to a second criminal process for facts already resolved in another.

• Intimacy and privacy principle - This principle protects the privacy and personal data of the people involved in a criminal procedure.

• Prompt justice right - This right, which is related to the principle of continuity, is intended to ensure that people are judged within the legally established deadlines and that the authorities respond to the parties´ petitions promptly, without causing unwarranted delays.

• Right to an adequate and immediate legal advice and defense - As it was previously explained, “defense” is a fundamental and inalienable right, for which the accused must exercise it through a public or private defender.

• Guarantee of being duly informed of your rights - Both the victim and the accused have the right to know their rights.

• Right of respect of the person´s freedom - No one can be deprived of freedom without a warrant from the judicial authority, except for the exceptions provided for in the laws, as in the case of an in flagrante delicto. Moreover, preventive detention is exceptional.


Likewise, articles 14, 16 and 20 of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States[17] establish various substantive rights in favor of any person accused in the commission of a crime, or of the rest of the parties in the criminal process. Among others, these rights and guarantees are the following: prohibition of non-retroactivity of the law to the detriment of any person, prohibition of analogy in criminal trials, inviolability of private communications, right to adequate defense, right to reparation of damages, presumption of innocence and the right to remain silent.


Additional Resources

“Reforma penal 2008-2016: El Sistema Penal Acusatorio en México”. Coordinator: Arely Gómez González. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Penales.[18]

  1. National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cnpp.htm
  2. “Censo Nacional de Gobierno, Seguridad Pública y Sistema Penitenciario Estatales 2017: Presentación de resultados generales”. Censo Nacional de Gobierno 2017. Updated: August 30th, 2018. Available online: http://www.beta.inegi.org.mx/contenidos/programas/cngspspe/2017/doc/cngspspe_2017_resultados.pdf
  3. “En Números: Estadísticas sobre el sistema penitenciario estatal en México”. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (2017). Available online: http://www.cdeunodc.inegi.org.mx/unodc/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/en_numeros2.pdf.
  4. http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/mexico1.htm
  5. David Shirk “Justice Reform in Mexico: Change and Challenges in the Judicial Sector” Wilson Center. Page 214. http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/Chapter%207-%20Justice%20Reform%20in%20Mexico,%20Change%20and%20Challenges%20in%20the%20Judicial%20Sector.pdf
  6. Supra note 5 page 216
  7. Ibidpage 214
  8. National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cnpp.htm
  9. Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpeum.htm
  10. Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpeum.htm.
  11. National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cnpp.htm.
  12. Federal Criminal Code (Código Penal Federal). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpf.htm.
  13. http://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/mexico1.htm
  14. Supra note 5 pages223 and 228
  15. Organic Law of the Judicial Power of the Federation (Ley Orgánica del Poder Judicial de la Federación). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/lopjf.htm
  16. National Code of Criminal Procedures (Código Nacional de Procedimientos Penales). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cnpp.htm
  17. Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos). Available online: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cpeum.htm
  18. “Reforma penal 2008-2016: El Sistema Penal Acusatorio en México”. Coordinator: Arely Gómez González. Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Penales. November, 2016. Available online: http://www.inacipe.gob.mx/stories/publicaciones/novedades/ReformaPenal2008-2016.pdf.