Five officials representing different levels of the Fiscalia General del Estado (State Attorney General’s Office, abbreviated FGE) faced a crowd of about 50 curious Lake Chapala Society members attending the November 29 conference on Jalisco’s justice system.
Sitting on the panel were Francisco Najar Sandoval, Coordinator of Public Audiences; Gonzalo Huitron Reynoso, head of the Región Ciénega Delegation who supervises sub-delegations based in Chapala and Atotonilco; Juan Ignacio Rodriquez Rivera, Director of the Región Norte Division; Rogelio Reyes Ramirez, supervisor of Ministerio Publco (district attorney, MP) offices in Chapala, Jocotepec and Tizapán, and Miguel Ortega Carrillo, officer in charge of Agency 1 at the Chapala MP. Professional interpreter Lorenza Castiello handled the translation.
The event got off to a shaky start, but rolled along smoothly once the officials stuck to the script of prepared questions that they had received several weeks in advance. However, it seemed that some of the answers they gave were vague or incomplete.
After running through the general structure of the FGE that has been operating since the change of government last March, the speakers laid out the nitty-gritty on police and MP matters that are an anathema to many expatriates.
They made the distinction between municipal police whose role boils down to crime prevention and enforcement of local ordinances, MP agencies that are in charge of investigating and processing common criminal cases such as robbery and burglary, auto theft, damages and personal injury, fraud and extortion, kidnapping and homicide, and federal authorities who handle major felonies like drug trafficking and organized crime.
Locations of Lakeside area MP offices are as follows:
Chapala – Juarez 573, between Degollado and Lopez Cotilla, Tel (376) 765-2415.
Jocotepec – Donato Guerra 6, inside municipal police headquarters, Tel. (387) 763-1386.
Tizapan – Independencia 35, Tel. (376) 768-0509.
Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday service is limited to people put under arrest. For after-hour emergencies call the municipal police and they will contact the MP.
Following automobile accidents, first authority pertains to traffic police who hand the case over to the MP if there is legal responsibility for injury or death.
MP agents register official complaints filed by crime victims, with Policia Investigadora officers aiding in the detective work. If the case is found to have merit and the presumed culprit is identified, the matter is turned over the criminal court judge for prosecution.
Since local offices do not have on-staff interpreters, expats who are not fluent in Spanish are advised to appear with their own translators to avoid delays in bringing in personnel from Guadalajara. Crime victims do not have to hire lawyers because MP agents act as their legal representatives.
The plaintiff will be asked to give a statement describing what happened and provide any pertinent information, documentation and witnesses pursuant to the complaint. Although the officials did not specify what is required in the way of personal identification, it is common knowledge that foreigners are expected to show valid passports and immigration documents, with four copies of each to be left on file.
Additional information regarding crime scene investigation and intricate MP and court procedures will be covered in a follow-up to this article.