Thread: Mexico to have public trials, presumed innocence

Mexico to have public trials, presumed innocence

MEXICO CITY — Mexico is adopting U.S.-style public trials and a presumption of innocence.

President Felipe Calderon has signed a sweeping judicial reform that replaces closed-door proceedings in which judges rely on written evidence.

The constitutional amendment signed Tuesday will have prosecutors and defense lawyers arguing their cases in court.

Mexico's Congress dropped a proposal to allow warrantless searches after human rights groups protested.

Instead the law creates a new class of judges who can rule more quickly on warrant requests.

The law also allows prosecutors to hold organized crime suspects without charge for up to 80 days.
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June 17, 2008 - 7:58 a.m. PDT
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http://www.statesman.com/news/content/s ... eform.html

Mexico radically reforms its judicial system

JULIE WATSON

Associated Press

June 17, 2008 at 1:34 PM EDT

MEXICO CITY — Mexico threw open the doors to its judicial system Tuesday, allowing public trials and creating a presumption of innocence.

Under the long-awaited constitutional amendment signed by President Felipe Calderon, guilt or innocence will no longer be decided behind closed doors by a judge relying on written evidence.

Prosecutors and defence lawyers will now argue their cases in court, and judges must explain their decisions to defendants.

“This is perhaps the most important reform to the criminal system that Mexicans have had in a long time,â€