Reforming the Administration of Justice in Mexico

This landmark study examines the challenges Mexico faces in reforming the administration of its justice system--a critical undertaking for the consolidation of democracy, the well-being of Mexican citizens, and U.S.-Mexican relations. The result of over four years of research from the Project on Reforming the Administration of Justice in Mexico, this bi-national collaborative initiative brought together U.S. and Mexican scholars, policy makers, law enforcement officials, lawyers, activists, and other experts to analyze diverse topics in the administration of justice. The outcome of the study presents for the first time an up-to-date analysis of the functioning and imperfections of the Mexican justice system. The contributors cover five key themes in Mexican justice reform: crime and criminology, policing and police reform, legal actors and judicial reform, civic mobilization and oversight in the justice system, and practical policy recommendations for future improvement of the justice system. In addition, they present new sources of empirical data, useful case studies evaluating state and local level challenges, and analyses of best practices. Reforming the Administration of Justice in Mexico provides an essential resource for scholars, legal practitioners, policy makers, students, and members of the general public trying to understand challenges facing Mexico's justice system today and for the foreseeable future. The book will be useful and accessible for courses on Latin American Politics, U.S.-Mexican relations, and transnational crime and security.