Former Mexican Minister of Justice Olga Sánchez Cordero said appointing judges without prior judicial experience poses a risk to the national justice system.

The warning comes as Mexico debates fundamental changes to its judicial selection process. The outcome of these reforms will determine whether high-level legal decisions are made by career jurists or political appointees, potentially shifting the balance of power within the federal government.

Sánchez Cordero highlighted contradictions left in the Constitution by Congress. She said that a lack of judicial experience undermines both the quality and the legitimacy of high-level justice decisions. According to Sánchez Cordero, the absence of a professional judicial career path for those presiding over courts threatens the overall integrity of the law.

These concerns emerge amid broader efforts to restructure the judiciary. Some proponents of the reform argue that the changes are necessary to prevent voter confusion during future elections. Specifically, the reform aims to avoid a scenario where, in June 2027 [1], citizens would have to choose from thousands of judicial candidates.

Critics like Sánchez Cordero suggest that prioritizing electoral convenience or political alignment over professional merit could lead to an "assault on reason." She said the current trajectory creates a precarious environment for the rule of law in Mexico.

The debate centers on whether the certification of judicial aspirants can adequately replace years of courtroom experience. While the government seeks to democratize the bench, legal experts warn that technical incompetence in the judiciary can lead to systemic failures in human rights protections, and constitutional interpretation.

“Appointing judges without prior judicial experience poses a risk to the national justice system.”

This tension reflects a deeper struggle in Mexico between the drive for judicial democratization and the preservation of technocratic expertise. By moving toward a system where judges may be elected or appointed without traditional career milestones, Mexico risks eroding the independence of its judiciary. If professional experience is sidelined, the courts may become more susceptible to political influence, potentially weakening the legal checks and balances necessary for a functioning democracy.