Supreme Court of Puerto Rico

The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is the highest court of Puerto Rico having the ultimate judicial authority within Puerto Rico to interpret and decide questions of state law. It is head of the judicial branch of the Government of Puerto Rico, the other branches being the executive branch and the legislative branch. The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is located in the city of San Juan.

Structure and powers

The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico was established by the Constitution of Puerto Rico in 1952. It is the only court required by the constitution. However, since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, there is also a Federal Court in the country. The justices (currently seven) are appointed by the Governor of Puerto Rico and confirmed by majority vote by the Senate of Puerto Rico. One of these seven justices serves as Chief Justice; the remaining members are designated Associate Justices. The justices end their term on the date they become seventy (70) years old.

The jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is only within the Constitution of Puerto Rico. It does not have power to meddle or enforce Federal Law.

Current justices

As of 2004, the Justices of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico are:


Name Date of birth Appointed by Date of appointment Political affiliation Remarks
Anabelle Rodríguez Sila M. Calderón 2004 PPD Former Secretary of Justice for Sila M. Calderón (2000-2004)
Baltasar Corrada del Río 1935 Pedro Rosselló 1995 PNP

Former Resident Comissioner of Puerto Rico (1977-1985)
Former mayor of San Juan (1984-1988)
Former candidate for Governor of Puerto Rico (1988)
Former Secretary of State for Pedro Rosselló (1992-1995)

Efraín Rivera Pérez 1951 Pedro Rosselló 2000 PNP

Legal advisor for Pedro Rosselló (1992-2000)
Deputy Attorney General from 1992 to 2000

Federico Hernández Denton 1944 Rafael Hernández Colón 1985 PPD Elevated to Chief Justive by Sila M. Calderón in 2004

Former legal advisor to the President of the University of Puerto Rico

Francisco Rebollo López 1938 Carlos Romero Barceló 1982 PNP Has held the postion of Interim Chief Justice of the Supreme Court during periods when the seat of Chief Justice has been vacant.
Jaime Fuster 1941 Rafael Hernández Colón 1992 PPD Former Deputy Sub-secretary of Justice of the United States from 1979 to 1981

Former Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico from 1984 to 1992

Liana Fiol Matta Sila M. Calderón 2004 PPD


External links

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