Facing Criminal Charges in Tijuana, Mexico? Here’s Why It’s Worth Speaking to a Criminal Lawyer before Local Authorities

Facing criminal charges in a foreign country is a harrowing experience—and Mexico is no exception. If you don’t speak Spanish or understand Mexican laws, you could find yourself under duress before you know it. But if you think the best way out of this situation is to speak with local authorities before criminal defense lawyers, think again!

There are numerous reasons why it’s better to speak with a criminal lawyer before talking to local authorities if you’re facing criminal charges in cities like Tijuana, Mexico. If you’re keen to learn more, read on!

Here are three major reasons why it’s worth speaking to a criminal justice attorney before the local authorities if you’re charged with a crime in Tijuana.

1. It’ll Give You the Best Shot at Understanding the Charges against You

Did you know that being able to speak Spanish doesn’t guarantee you’ll understand the charges against you in places like Tijuana? This is because local authorities are likely to refer to complex legal terms the average joe won’t understand unless they’ve taken a course in Spanish legalese.

While it’s true you’re entitled to a translator or interpreter under the Mexican constitution, you’ll only gain access to them if you reach trial. In other words, you’ll be left to decipher the charges against you on your own when you’re arrested—and by the time you understand them, court proceedings will have already begun!

The solution to this is simple: call a criminal justice attorney before speaking with local authorities. They’ll translate and explain the charges being brought against you in layman’s terms, so you know what you’re in for from the get-go. They’ll also give you an honest overview of the penalties you’re likely to face if the charges against you are confirmed.

2. It’ll Give the Criminal Defense Lawyers More Time to Build a Defense

If we asked you to choose between giving a head-start to the local authorities or the criminal defense lawyers representing you, who would you pick? We’re willing to bet you’d choose the lawyers!

Unfortunately, speaking to local authorities before anyone else is a sure-fire way of giving them a leg-up if you’re charged with a crime in Tijuana. In contrast, if you speak to a criminal justice attorney first, you’ll give them the maximum amount of time to build your defense. The best criminal defense lawyers in Mexico have teams of paralegals to help them sift through legal publications like Mexico’s “Codigo Penal Federal” (Federal Penal Code) to help build their arguments. Unfortunately, this takes quite a lot of time—so the earlier you convey your side of the story to a criminal defense attorney, the stronger their research will be.

3. It’ll Prevent Possible Coercion

If we were living in an ideal world, the police would never coerce a defendant into confessing to crimes they didn’t commit. Unfortunately, that’s not what it’s like in reality—especially if you’re in Mexico.

Research shows that the use of excessive force and extortion is deeply ingrained into Mexican police culture. This is especially prevalent in cities like Tijuana where local authorities justify the use of force to extract confessions from hardline cartel members. Fortunately, instances of police coercion in Tijuana have fallen since Mexico switched to an adversarial criminal justice system in 2008. However, if you want to be on the safe side, we still recommend calling a reputable criminal lawyer before speaking to local authorities.

Criminal defense lawyers have the knowledge and experience required to spot any attempt by the local authorities to coerce a defendant. If you’re asked questions that could lead to self-incrimination, they’ll step in immediately and answer on your behalf.

Now that you know the benefits of speaking to a criminal justice attorney before the local authorities in Tijuana, the question remains—where do you find one? That’s where Meneses Legal comes in!

We’re a Tijuana-based law firm headed by expert cross-border crimes attorney Fabian Meneses. We’ve helped countless clients understand the charges brought against them in Tijuana and have over forty years of combined experience. Our practices cover everything from sex crime cases to contraband smuggling, and we operate in numerous locations across Mexico including Los Cabos and Sonoyta.

So, are you ready to hire some of the best criminal defense lawyers in Mexico to help you fight your case? Simply email us at info@meneseslegal.com or leave us a message using our online contact form and we’ll get back to you ASAP.