Chihuahua judiciary faces backlash over court relocation

The Chihuahua Superior Court of Justice (TSJ) is facing opposition following the decision to relocate the Regional Criminal and Civil/Family Courts from Parral to the state capital, Chihuahua. The move, authorized on July 13 at the request of magistrates María Elizabeth Macías Márquez and Yamil Athie Gómez, has prompted local lawyers to file injunctions (amparos) to revert the decision.

Legal professionals in Parral express concern that the relocation undermines legal certainty. In response to these grievances, the President of the TSJ, Marcela Herrera Sandoval, met with bar associations to propose a strategy to strengthen the southern region. This includes the creation of two new courtrooms and the assignment of more judges to reduce the backlog and caseload.

Opinions among legal representatives are divided. While some fear the impact on local access to justice, others argue the change will allow for a greater diversity of judicial criteria and reduce overall costs and time by centralizing appeals near federal courts. The TSJ intends to maintain personnel in Parral to handle document digitization and facilitate remote hearings and consultations.