Adversarial criminal justice reform
2008–2016
Verified 21 May 2026 · Data dated 21 May 2026
Fresh · 8d ago
Constitutional reform replaced Mexico's inquisitorial trial system with an adversarial one featuring oral hearings, the presumption of innocence, and stricter pre-trial-detention criteria. Implemented in stages, completed across all states by 2016.
Outcomes
Pre-trial detention as a share of the prison population dropped from ~55% to ~38% by 2018. However, the constitutional category of 'prisión preventiva oficiosa' (mandatory pre-trial detention) was later expanded by Congress, partially undoing the reform.
Sources
Last verified 21 May 2026. This is editorial; we hand-curate this section. Spotted an error? Submit a correction.