In Mexico, the judicial system is structured in various instances that guarantee the application of the law and justice. Ministers, judges and magistrates play fundamental roles in this process, each with specific responsibilities and a significant impact on the lives of citizens.
However, despite their role within the Mexican justice system, on February 5, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador presented the reform that seeks to “modernize” the Judicial Branch. This proposal includes the dissolution of the Federal Judicial Council, which would be replaced by a new body, and the establishment of a Judicial Disciplinary Court. In addition, it is proposed to reduce the number of members of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation.
If approved, citizens would be in charge of selecting the authorities responsible for the administration of justice. Therefore, it is important to get an idea of how many judges, ministers and magistrates exist in our country.
How many judges, ministers and magistrates exist in Mexico?
First, the differences between the representatives of the electoral court, the Circuit Collegiate Courts, the Circuit Unitary Courts, the District Courts and the Judicial Council must be taken into account.
Judges
District judges are the first instance in the resolution of disputes in civil, criminal or administrative matters, as well as in indirect amparo trials. They head the district courts and work with secretaries, attorneys and employees. In other words, they are in charge of issuing first instance rulings on criminal, civil, labor cases, among others.
Magistrates exercise their function in the Circuit Collegiate Courts. They are responsible for the second instance of the judicial power and handle direct amparo trials and appeals against the resolutions of district judges.
Ministers
The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation is composed of eleven ministers, who represent the highest level of the Judicial Power. Its main function is the defense of the constitutional order and the definitive resolution of jurisdictional matters. These include:
Cases of violations of the suspension of the claimed act or the admission of illusory or insufficient bail.
Amparo trials, among others.
Likewise, they are in charge of resolving constitutional controversies and making definitive interpretations of the law. It has the highest hierarchy within the judicial system.
The Magna Carta, the supreme power of the Federation is distributed in three main branches: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. (SCJN)
The Magna Carta, the supreme power of the Federation is distributed in three main branches: the executive, the legislative and the judicial. (SCJN)
Having understood this point, we can note that, according to the 2023 National Census of Federal Justice Administration carried out by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), in Mexico at the end of 2022 the following were counted:
11 ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation.
910 magistrates.
737 judges.
Which would give a total of 1,654 positions.
Source: infobae
