2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE THREE - Executive (§§ 1 — 9311) › Chapter 14 - Department of Justice (2004) › Subchapter II - Secretary of Justice (§§ 292 — 292q) › § 292o - Additional powers and duties

In addition to the powers and duties conferred by §§ 291—295u of this title and by other laws and the powers and prerogatives inherent to the office, the Secretary shall have the following, without it being construed as a limitation:
(a) Plan, direct and supervise the operation of the Department and its programs, as well as that of the personnel, the attorneys he/she designates and the officials appointed by the Governor for a fixed term who carry out functions in the Department.
(b) Adopt rules and regulations as deemed necessary for the discharge of his/her functions and duties, which shall be promulgated pursuant to the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of this title, known as the “Uniform Administrative Procedures Act of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”.
(c) Contract the professional and advisory services he/she deems necessary to meet the purposes of §§ 291—295u of this title.
(d) Delegate onto his/her officials and employees the powers and duties he/she deems convenient or necessary, except for the power to appoint and promulgate regulations.
(e) Enter into the agreements and compacts needed for the processing of judicial actions and to carry out the functions imposed on him/her by law.
(f) Promote, through educational campaigns, respect for the law and foster in officials and employees of the Department attitudes directed to the protection and upholding of the rights of all citizens to be treated, at all times, with dignity and respect, specially those who collaborate with law enforcement.
(g) Enforce compliance with the responsibilities imposed on him/her by §§ 2201 et seq. of Title 34, known as the “Puerto Rico Minors Act”, within the framework of the juvenile justice system’s philosophy, which balances treatment and rehabilitation with demanding from the minor a certain degree of responsibility for his/her actions.
(h) Provide protection and assistance to victims and witnesses and their relatives in investigation and judicial proceedings, pursuant to the public policy established in §§ 972—972j of Title 25 and §§ 981—981n of Title 25.
(i) Investigate and process complaints presented to claim rights or benefits granted by law, pursuant to the provisions of §§ 973—973c of Title 25, known as the “Bill of Rights of Victims and Witnesses of Crimes”.
(j) Be actively involved in the efforts to coordinate all components of the justice system, both at the local and the federal levels, in order to attain the greatest degree of cooperation.
(k) Coordinate and address, by delegation of the Governor, operational and administrative matters that legally affect the operation of Executive Branch agencies.
(l) Keep a continuous study of the development of the doctrine of the law in all its aspects and recommend to the Governor and the Legislature the legislation he/she deems necessary to achieve the best administration of justice and its institutions.
(m) Be actively involved in organizations and associations that have the purpose of improving the administration of criminal and juvenile justice, fight crime, prevent juvenile delinquency and canalize community efforts toward crime prevention and control.
(n) Act as a member of the boards, committees and bodies to which he/she is designated by law or by the Governor and discharge the duties assigned to him/her.
(o) Establish orientation, training and competency programs for employees and officials of the Department and hold conferences for Prosecutors, Advocates, Property Registrars, attorneys and employees of the Department with the purpose of addressing matters relative to the better performance of the functions imposed by law.
(p) Adopt an official stamp and logo for the Department, which shall be judicially noted.
(q) Orient the community on those matters of general interest relative to the exercise of his/her functions.
(r) Render a report to the Governor and the Legislature on the status of Department matters at the end of each fiscal year.
(s) Keep a Civil Suit Registry of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(t) Keep a Registry of Persons Convicted for Acts of Corruption.
(u) Carry out all other actions convenient and necessary to comply with the purposes of §§ 291—295u of this title and all other responsibilities imposed on him/her by law.
(w) To acquire, lease, sublease, possess, use, and dispose of real property as may be necessary to locate its main office among other purposes consistent with §§ 291-295u of this title. Such real property may be acquired by any lawful means, including, but not limited to, the sale, assignment, exchange, or lease with an option to buy.
Likewise, once the acquisition of the property where the main office of the Department shall be located is completed, the Secretary shall be empowered to lease part of such facilities to public or private entities, provided that such lease proves to be of financial benefit.
(x) To enter into contracts to carry out construction, repair, renovation, improvement works, or to purchase personal property to furnish the acquired facilities in accordance with this section.
(y) To finance the acquisition of real property and/or the construction, repair, renovation, improvement, and/or purchase of personal property through the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, or any subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or through any other public or private bank. The repayment of any obligation incurred for purposes of this provision with the Government Development Bank or any other public or private bank shall proceed from the annual budget appropriations allocated to the Department.
(z) Be empowered to reserve, encumber, or pledge, in whole or in part, the budget appropriations currently used for the payment of the rental of the different real properties that house the main office of the Department, so that such appropriations are used for making the debt service payment of any obligation incurred under this section.
(aa) Take any other actions as are convenient and necessary to meet the purposes of §§ 291-295u of this title and all other responsibilities imposed on him/her by law.
History —Aug. 9, 2004, No. 205, § 18; Nov. 21, 2011, No. 229, § 1; Feb. 29, 20121, No. 50, § 1.