ABSTRACT
This chapter directs its attention, primarily, to judicial institutions in Mexico as the main components of the justice system. On the political side, the system was based on the merging of the government and the hegemonic party. All the institutions comprising the Justice system in Mexico theoretically are linked to protecting the existence and implementation of the set of rights considered as basic for the life and normal development of any human being. Institutions such as popular sovereignty and separation of power were established without putting aside the civil law tradition. This meant that Mexico gave the highest importance to its legislative branch as the body composed of the true representatives of the people. One major exception is the military involvement in the student massacre that took place in Mexico City in 1968 and that has been subject to investigation by a special prosecutor appointed in 2001.
