Marta Pascual faces impeachment requests in Buenos Aires

Three requests for impeachment have been filed in the Buenos Aires Provincial Senate against Judge Marta Pascual, following her decision to suspend the application of the National Juvenile Criminal Law (Law 27.801) for 60 days. The requests, citing “mal desempeño en sus funciones” (misconduct in her duties), were submitted by provincial deputy Manuel Passaglia, Senator Guillermo Montenegro, and lawyer Alfredo Drocchi.

Judge Pascual issued the precautionary measure in response to a collective habeas corpus case, halting the law that lowers the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 14 years across the province. The law, approved in February, included a 180-day transition period for jurisdictions to adapt penitentiary structures.

In addition to the impeachment requests, the NGO Usina de la Justicia filed a criminal complaint against Pascual for alleged “usurpación funcional y abuso de autoridad” (functional usurpation and abuse of authority), arguing the ruling is arbitrary and violates the separation of powers. The judge has scheduled a hearing for September 16, requiring provincial officials from the security, justice, and childhood sectors to report on their implementation of the new regime.