Mexico Court to Review Constitutionality of Perp Walks EFE
go to original May 31, 2012

Mexican soldiers parade suspects before the press during their presentation in Mexico City. Critics say the media events violate suspects' rights. (Miguel Tovar/Associated Press)

Mexico's Supreme Court plans to rule on whether the parading of suspects before the press violates the constitutional presumption of a person's innocence until convicted of a crime, the Federal District Human Rights Commission said in a statement.

Justice Luis Maria Aguilar Morales will review the legal challenge filed by the Federal District Human Rights Commission and prepare the case for debate by the 11-judge panel.

The commission alleges that the practice of the Federal District Attorney's Office to parade suspects who have not gone to trial before the media is unconstitutional.

The DA's office parades suspects arrested for serious crimes, such as kidnappings, before the press so they can be identified by victims.

Parading people who have not been convicted of a crime before the media "restricts" their right to a presumption of innocence and "due process," the commission said.

Legal action was taken because the DA's office did not accept a recommendation in March to change its procedures, the commission said.

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