Francisco Jerez Mena: The profile and vision of the judge seeking continuity in the Supreme Court
Magistrate Francisco Antonio Jerez Mena, current president of the Second Penal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ), appeared before the National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) as part of the evaluation process to determine the tenure of judges in the highest court. With a solid track record spanning both civil and criminal jurisdiction, Jerez Mena highlighted during his appearance the importance of judicial independence and efficiency in the justice system.
Professional background and academic training
A native of Cotuí, Sánchez Ramírez province, Magistrate Jerez Mena was born on October 25, 1965. He holds a Doctorate in Law from the Universidad Central del Este (UCE) and has a specialization in Judicial Law from the National School of the Judiciary. His academic profile is completed by a double master’s degree in Constitutional Law and Fundamental Rights, pursued jointly between the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) and the University of Castilla-La Mancha.
Before ascending to the Supreme Court, he held key positions in La Vega, where he was a judge of the Court of First Instance and a magistrate of the Civil and Commercial Chamber of the Court of Appeals. His management in that jurisdiction was internationally recognized for the implementation of the Criminal Judicial Office Management Model.
Independence from parallel trials
One of the most relevant points of his intervention was the rejection of so-called “parallel trials” and “penal populism.” Jerez Mena emphasized that, to guarantee the presumption of innocence, judges must remain on the sidelines of media and public opinion pressures.
I do not use social media or watch much television so as not to let myself be contaminated. My goal is for court decisions to respond exclusively to the evidence and the Law, always maintaining the peace of my conscience.
Results and commitment to service
When asked about his main legacy at the SCJ, the magistrate highlighted the fight against judicial backlog. According to the statistics presented, his administration has achieved:
- The processing of more than 14,000 files.
- The issuance of more than 27,000 judicial decisions.
- A success rate where 98% of cases were heard at the first scheduled hearing.
Finally, Jerez Mena clarified that his motivation to remain in the judiciary does not stem from a quest for power, but from a deep vocation for public service. The magistrate’s fate in the Supreme Court now lies in the hands of the National Council of the Magistracy, which will evaluate his performance and proposals to decide whether he continues in the position.
