reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 92 - Protection and Security Code (§§ 913 — 920) › § 914 - Code of conduct

The administrator of a shopping center shall be entitled to adopt and enforce a “code of conduct”, as defined in subsection (g) of section 2 of this Act [sic], for the healthy interaction of users visiting the shopping center. Said code of conduct shall be recorded in writing and posted legibly in visible and conspicuous places. The code of conduct thus adopted may never be used to discriminate for reason of political or religious beliefs, race, color, sex, or any other grounds which are not applicable to all persons in general.
Once the code has been adopted, the shopping center administrator shall remit a copy thereof to the Secretary of Justice, who shall be responsible for reviewing the same and for notifying any objection thereto on the basis of the applicable law. Once ninety (90) days have elapsed, if the Secretary of Justice has notified no objection whatsoever, the code shall become effective.
History —Dec. 6, 2007, No. 179, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 92 - Protection and Security Code (§§ 913 — 920) › § 915 - Right of admission reserved

The administrator of a shopping center may reserve the right of admission into his/her property, and as such may forbid the entrance of those persons whose conduct contravenes the shopping center’s code of conduct. Tenants, in turn, may reserve the right of admission into their particular establishments and may forbid the entrance of those persons whose conduct contravenes the shopping center’s code of conduct.
History —Dec. 6, 2007, No. 179, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 92 - Protection and Security Code (§§ 913 — 920) › § 916 - Nonadmittance warning

The administrator and the tenants of a shopping center shall be empowered to issue a “nonadmittance warning” in order to forbid the entrance of a person into the shopping center and/or the establishments, as the case may be, for a period of time which may never exceed ninety (90) days from the date on which the conduct which gave rise to the warning was incurred. The criterion to be employed when issuing the “nonadmittance warning” shall be based strictly on the conduct of the person. The warning may be issued to any person who has violated the shopping center’s code of conduct, or whose conduct is detrimental to the operating order of the shopping center and/or any establishment and/or to the rights and security of users.
Said “warning” may also be issued to any persons intervened for their participation in criminal acts in the shopping center or in the establishments.
History —Dec. 6, 2007, No. 179, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 92 - Protection and Security Code (§§ 913 — 920) › § 917 - Notice

The administrator or any of the tenants shall enjoin in writing and serve the “warning” upon the person to whom admittance into the property is to be denied. This “warning” shall specify the time at which the offender is to leave the premises of the shopping center or the establishment and the term during which entrance therein is forbidden. The administrator, his/her representative, or the tenants, shall be responsible for filling out all the blanks and parts of this “warning”, mainly those in which the date and time of effectiveness thereof and the specific violation to law and order are specified.
History —Dec. 6, 2007, No. 179, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 92 - Protection and Security Code (§§ 913 — 920) › § 918 - Expulsion of the offender

The administrator or any of the tenants may, reasonably and in an adequate manner, make an offender leave the shopping center or establishment as long as the offender has been enjoined in writing for his/her unacceptable conduct and after having requested him/her to cease and desist in the violation of the code of conduct; or when he/she has been intervened for his/her alleged participation in criminal acts, or in any act which is or could be offensive to users or which is or could be prejudicial to the reputation, dignity or credit of the users, of the shopping center or of the establishments, or which is or threatens to be damaging to the activities or the business of the shopping center or an establishment, be it specifically mentioned or not in the code of conduct. The administrator or any of the tenants with grounds to expel any person from the premises of the shopping center or an establishment, shall first give notice to said person, in writing, as to the fact that his/her presence is unwelcome in the premises of the shopping center or the establishment, and request him/her to immediately vacate the premises and under admonishment that if he/she refuses, he/she may be expelled by police officers.
If the offender, after having been enjoined and admonished by the administrator or his/her authorized agent or by a tenant for specific violations of the code of conduct, refuses to vacate the property of the shopping center or the establishment, the administrator or tenant shall be empowered to request cooperation from any law enforcement officer, and the latter shall be bound to immediately expel the offender from the premises of the shopping center or establishment.
In the event the offender is a minor, the administrator must notify a law enforcement officer to expel him/her from the premises.
History —Dec. 6, 2007, No. 179, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 92 - Protection and Security Code (§§ 913 — 920) › § 919 - Liability of the administrator and the tenants

The civil liability of the administrator as well as that of tenants concerning the expulsion of persons from the shopping center or from any establishment shall be governed by those provisions contained in the Puerto Rico Civil Code or any other applicable law.
History —Dec. 6, 2007, No. 179, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 92 - Protection and Security Code (§§ 913 — 920) › § 920 - Penalties

Any person who remains or attempts to remain in a shopping center or in an establishment for any period of time after written warning has been issued by the administrator or a tenant requiring the person to vacate the premises of the shopping center or the establishment, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be there illegally and shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, pursuant to the provisions of § 4644 of Title 33, part of the Penal Code of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Dec. 6, 2007, No. 179, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94 - Reward for Information to Police (§§ 951 — 955) › § 951 - Authorization for payment

The Police Superintendent is hereby authorized to pay from the funds appropriated to the operating budget of the Puerto Rico Police up to the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) as a reward to the person or persons whose information leads to the capture of an individual accused or convicted of violating the penal statutes of the land or has escaped from our penal institutions or been declared a fugitive from justice and the corresponding warrant has been issued by the Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico, or to the person who provided information that leads to the conviction of an individual accused of voluntary homicide or murder.
History —Aug. 8, 1974, No. 14, Part 2, p. 619, § 1; Jan. 13, 2004, No. 54, § 1, retroactive to July 1, 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94 - Reward for Information to Police (§§ 951 — 955) › § 952 - Maximum amount of payment

The Superintendent shall not have an amount greater than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to pay the reward to the person or persons who furnished information to the police leading to the arrest or capture at the same time of the same person who has been declared a fugitive, who has escaped from our penal institutions, or who has been convicted of voluntary homicide or murder.
History —Aug. 8, 1974, No. 14, Part 2, p. 619, § 2; Jan. 13, 2004, No. 54, § 2, retroactive to July 1, 2003.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94 - Reward for Information to Police (§§ 951 — 955) › § 953 - Persons ineligible for reward

The reward provided in this chapter shall not be payable to any member of the Police, guard or official of the penal institutions, nor to any internal-revenue agent of the Department of the Treasury, nor to any official of the Courts of Justice of Puerto Rico.
History —Aug. 8, 1974, No. 14, Part 2, p. 619, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94 - Reward for Information to Police (§§ 951 — 955) › § 954 - Funds; fiscal proceedings

The funds for the administration of this chapter shall be paid from the operational budget of the Police of Puerto Rico, and the payments for the reward provided in § 951 of this title shall be made pursuant to the fiscal proceedings established for the disbursement of public funds by the Department of the Treasury.
History —Aug. 8, 1974, No. 14, Part 2, p. 619, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94 - Reward for Information to Police (§§ 951 — 955) › § 955 - Regulation

The Superintendent shall establish by regulation the norms that shall govern the granting of the rewards herein provided. The regulation shall provide, among other things, the norms to distribute the reward when more than one person is entitled thereto. Said regulation shall take effect as soon as it is approved by the Superintendent and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3. The regulation shall comply with all other requirements of §§ 2101 et seq. of Title 3.
History —Aug. 8, 1974, No. 14, Part 2, p. 619, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971 - Short title

This chapter shall be denominated as the “Act Against Organized Crime and Money Laundering of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico”.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 1; Aug. 30, 1992, No. 52, § 1, eff. 30 days after Aug. 30, 1992.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971c - Prescription

Any penal action that may be brought against the person who violates the provisions of § 971b of this title shall not prescribe.
Any individual act which is a part of the pattern of organized criminal activity or money laundering taking place after the approval of this Act shall prescribe after ten (10) years, except in those cases for which Art. 78 of the Penal Code of Puerto Rico or any other special act establishes a longer term of prescription.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 4; June 19, 1987, No. 36, p. 120, § 3; Aug. 30, 1992, No. 52, § 4, eff. 30 days after Aug. 30, 1992.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971e - Acquisition of assets; penalty

Any person who, while acting in common accord with or in the name of a person charged with or convicted of violating this chapter, in violation of the provisions of § 971d of this title acquires or attempts to acquire any property as described in subsection (b) of said section that had been confiscated or was subject to confiscation shall be sanctioned by imprisonment for a fixed term of ten (10) years. In the event of aggravating circumstances, the established fixed term may be increased to a maximum of fifteen (15) years; in the event of extenuating circumstances it may be reduced to a minimum of five (5) years.
The illegally acquired property shall revert to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico without any compensation whatsoever therefor and it shall be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of subsection (g) of § 971d of this title.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, added as § 6 on May 29, 1986, No. 32, p. 81, § 3[2]
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971f - Cancellation of charter

The Secretary of Justice may institute civil proceedings to cancel the corporate charter of any corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or to cancel or revoke any license, permit or authorization granted to any foreign corporation doing business or charitable work in Puerto Rico when:
(a)
(1) Any official or a corporation or any other person with authority in the management or operation thereof, who, with the knowledge of the president and that of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of such corporation or under circumstances in which they should have such knowledge, engages in, or is directly or indirectly connected with organized crime;
(2) a director, official, employee, agent or bondholder, acting for, through, or in behalf of the corporation and in the conduct of the enterprise’s affairs engages in organized crime, with the president’s knowledge and that of the majority of the members of the Board of Directors, or under circumstances in which they should have such knowledge, with the intention to compel or induce other persons, firms or corporations to do business with the corporation or to engage in organized crime, and
(b) the public interest requires that the corporate charter be cancelled, and the liquidation of the corporation be decreed, or the license, permit or authorization be cancelled, to prevent future illegal conduct under the provisions of this chapter.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 7; June 19, 1987, No. 36, p. 120, § 4, eff. 180 days after June 19, 1987.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971g - Paralyzation of operation of enterprises or individuals

The Secretary of Justice may institute civil proceedings to paralyze the operation of any type of enterprise, other than a corporation, when:
(a) A person in his individual character, or any person in the control of the enterprise, who may be a partner, owner, employee, agent or a person who exercises control in the operations of such enterprise, engages in activities connected with organized crime with the intent of inducing or compelling other persons, firms or corporations to do business with the corporation or to engage in organized crime, and
(b) public interest requires that the operations of the enterprise or activity be paralyzed to prevent illegal conduct of the same sort in the future.
The civil proceedings to cancel the corporate charter, or to paralyze the operations of any kind of business, other than a corporation, pursuant to the provisions of this section or § 971f of this title, shall be instituted after a previous decision is obtained that there are well-founded reasons to believe that there has been a violation of this chapter. Such decision shall be made at a private hearing held before a judge, with the participation of the person or persons involved, and with the auditors or other officials designated by the Secretary of the Treasury at the request of the Secretary of Justice.
The parties shall be notified of the date set for the hearing at least five (5) days in advance of such date, pursuant to the provisions of § 971m of this title.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971h - Civil remedies

(a) The Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico shall have jurisdiction to impose penalties and to prevent violations of this chapter through appropriate orders, including but without being limited:
(1) To issue injunctions or quo warrantos;
(2) to order the repeal of any license, permit or authorization regardless of whether it is professional or for an occupation, or any other kind of business;
(3) to order the person to divest himself of any direct or indirect interest in any enterprise;
(4) to impose reasonable restrictions on the future activities or investments of any person, including forbidding him to participate in the same company or business in which he has been involved, or
(5) to order the corresponding administrative sphere to remove any employee, or the dissolution, reorganization or trusteeship of any enterprise to protect the rights of innocent persons.
(b) The Secretary of Justice shall institute the procedures under this section. In any action initiated by the Commonwealth under this section, the court shall proceed with full priority to the hearing and determination of said action. While the final determination of the matter is still unresolved, the court may issue any orders it deems convenient or take any other lawful action, at any time.
The court shall impose the costs and fees on the defendant.
(c) A conviction and final sentence in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in any criminal proceeding instituted by the Secretary under the provisions of this chapter shall prevent the defendant from denying the essential allegations of the criminal violation in any civil action filed subsequently by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(d) Any person who suffers an injury in his business or property as a result of a violation of the provisions of § 971b of this title may file suit in the corresponding court of justice and may recover triple compensation for the damages suffered, and the expenses incurred in the suit, including a reasonable sum for attorneys fees.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 9; July 9, 1986, No. 84, p. 269.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971i - Civil remedies—Independence

The civil remedies and actions to prevent violations of this chapter may be instituted separately from the criminal action or other legal remedy.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971j - Civil remedies—Acceleration

In any civil action instituted by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico [under this chapter], the Secretary of Justice may make evident through a motion that, in his opinion, the case is one of great public interest. A copy of the motion shall be sent immediately to the Administrative Judge of the Court who shall immediately designate the judge who shall handle the matter. The judge so designated shall give priority to the hearing, receive the evidence, hand down the pertinent decision and issue the orders he deems convenient.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971k - Civil remedies—Public or private actions

Any civil action or proceeding related to this chapter, instituted by the Secretary of Justice under the provisions of this chapter, may be public or private, in the discretion of the court, after taking into consideration the rights of the parties involved.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971l - Investigation; request; procedure

(a) When the Secretary of Justice has reason to believe that any person or entity is in possession, custody or control of any documents or objects relevant to an investigation on organized crime or money laundering under this chapter and prior to initiating any civil or criminal action, he may require him/her in writing, after due notice, to produce or permit the examination of such documents or objects for examination and investigation. The Secretary of Justice may require information regarding the owner or holder of bonds or any other financial interests, on members of the Board of Directors, administrators, or any other employee of an enterprise.
(b) The requirement shall:
(1) Establish the nature of the conduct which the alleged organized crime activity under investigation constitutes, and the applicable statutory provisions;
(2) describe with precision and certainty the type or types of documents or objects to be produced, so that these may be easily identified;
(3) establish a definite date on which the request shall be answered, granting a reasonable period of time so that the documents and objects to be inspected, copied or reproduced may be produced, and
(4) designate the custodian who shall receive the requested material.
(c) The request shall not:
(1) Contain any request that would be unreasonable if it were requested through a subpoena duces tecum issued by a court; or
(2) request that evidence of a privileged nature be produced, or
(3) prevent a person from invoking his right of protection against self-incrimination, giving the Secretary of Justice the power to grant immunity in such case.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 13; June 19, 1987, No. 36, p. 120, § 5; Aug. 30, 1992, No. 52, § 7, eff. 30 days after Aug. 30, 1992.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971m - Notice of request

(a) The notice of the request, or any request made according to this section, may be carried out in one of the following forms:
(1) By delivering a properly processed copy to any partner, agent, or general agent, or to any agent authorized by law to receive summons on behalf of that person, or directly to the person;
(2) by delivering a properly processed copy to the main office or the main place of business, or
(3) by sending a copy by registered or certified mail with a return receipt addressed to the person at his main office or place of business.
(b) The receipt of the notice, properly processed by the person who served it, shall be considered as prima facie evidence of its serving. In case the notice is sent by certified or registered mail, the post office receipt shall be attached to the notice.
(c)
(1) Any person who has been duly notified of a request under this section shall make all the documents that have been requested for their inspection, copy or reproduction available to the investigator. Said inspection, copy or reproduction shall take place in the main place of business or in any other place where the investigator and the person have agreed on, in writing, or wherever the court so determines.
(2) The investigator who has received any documents according to this section shall take possession and be responsible for the use they are given, and shall return them pursuant to what is herein provided. While the documents are under the care of said investigator, they may not be examined by any person except the Secretary of Justice or the person whom he has delegated, unless the person who produced said documents and objects gives his consent. Under the terms and conditions established by the Secretary of Justice, the documents in possession of the investigator may only be inspected by the person who produced them, or his duly authorized agent.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971n - Return of documents; custody

When the investigation of the criminal activity for which the documents were produced is finished, or when any case or action that arises from said investigation is concluded, the investigator shall return the documents to the person that produced them, except for those copies made by the Secretary of Justice, and those that have not come under the control of the court.
If an action or proceeding is not initiated as a result of the investigation within a reasonable period of time after the examination and analysis of all evidence in course of investigation has been completed, the person who produced the evidence shall have the right, through a written request to the Secretary of Justice, to the return of all the documentary evidence or objects that this person produced.
In case of the death, disability or separation from office of a person who has in his care any documentary evidence produced under the provisions of this chapter, or in case the official is relieved of the responsibility of keeping said material in his custody, the Secretary of Justice shall immediately:
(1) Designate another investigator from the Special Investigations Bureau to serve as custodian, and
(2) notify the person who produced the evidence, in writing, of the name and address of the designated successor. Any successor, so designated, shall have the same functions, duties and responsibilities imposed on his predecessor by this chapter, except that he shall not be held responsible for any negligent act that may have occurred before his designation as custodian.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971o - Return of documents; custody—Noncompliance with request

If any person does not comply with the request to produce documents or objects under this chapter, or when the satisfactory copying or reproducing of evidence is hindered because the person refuses to hand over the material, the Secretary of Justice shall enjoin the court to issue an order for the person to comply with the provisions of this chapter. If the person does not comply with the order issued by the court, he shall incur civil contempt, which shall be the basis for the revocation of any license, permit or authorization granted to the person or enterprise under investigation.
Within twenty (20) days following the notice of request, or at any time prior to the date specified for the delivery, whichever is shortest, the person may request a court order to modify or set aside the requirement. The term granted to comply with the request shall be suspended while the request is being considered by the court. The petition shall specify the motives on which it is based, and it may be based on the noncompliance of any condition pursuant to what is established herein, under any legal or constitutional provision.
The person who produced the evidence may, at any time, request the court to order the custodian of the evidence to comply with any of the duties imposed on him by this chapter.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971p - Destruction of or damage to documents or objects; penalty

Any destruction, mutilation, alteration, concealment, removal or any other damage done to the documents or objects requested by the Secretary of Justice shall constitute a felony and shall be sanctioned with imprisonment for a fixed term of three (3) years. Should there be aggravating circumstances, the fixed term established may be increased to a maximum of five (5) years; should there be extenuating circumstances, it may be reduced to a minimum of two (2) years.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, § 17; June 4, 1980, No. 107, p. 347, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971r - Penalties for false information or disclosure of a judicial order to record

Any person who intentionally renders false testimony for the court to issue a judicial order authorizing the recording of nontelephonic conversations, and any person who on the basis of said false information, and knowing it is false, requests the Secretary of Justice to request such an order before the court shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for a fixed term of five (5) years. If there were aggravating circumstances, the fixed penalty may be increased to a maximum of eight (8) years, and if there were extenuating circumstances, it may be reduced to a minimum of two (2) years.
The court shall impose the fixed term of imprisonment established herein and, at its discretion, may further impose a fine of not less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
Any person who having knowledge of the evidence or the fact that an authorization to record conversations under the provisions of § 971q of this title has been issued, and through any means discloses such knowledge to another person except when the disclosure is necessary within the course of his duties shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment for a fixed term of two (2) years. If there were aggravating circumstances, the established fixed penalty may be increased to a maximum of three (3) years, and if there were extenuating circumstances it may be reduced to a minimum of one (1) year.
The court shall impose the fixed term of imprisonment and, at its discretion, may also impose a fine which shall not be less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) nor more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
No person accused of violating the provisions of this section may avail himself of the plea bargaining system and, upon conviction, shall not be entitled to enjoy a suspended sentence.
Except in the case of recordings of telephone conversations, the provisions established by Section 145 of Act No. 115 of July 22, 1974, as amended, known as the Penal Code of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, shall not apply to policemen, Special Investigations Bureau agents, undercover agents, informers or persons who, acting under legal authorization, record nontelephonic conversations, when such recording is done with the prior authorization of the court pursuant to the provisions of § 971q of this title. Such persons, however, shall be guilty of the crime provided in Section 145 of the Penal Code and in the crime provided in the first paragraph of this section when the recording is made without a valid authorization, pursuant to what is established by § 971q of this title.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, added as § 19 on June 19, 1987, No. 36, p. 120, § 7, eff. 180 days after June 19, 1987.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94B - Action Against Organized Crime (§§ 971 — 971s) › § 971s - Annual reports

The Secretary of Justice shall file a report containing all nonprivileged information related to the experience in the application of § 971q of this title to the Legislature, within the first fifteen (15) days after the beginning of each regular session, which shall include the following without it being understood as a limitation:
(1) The number of petitions for orders to authorize the recording of conversations filed in the courts during the report year.
(2) The number of orders issued or denied by the courts during said year.
(3) The average time required to make the recordings of nontelephonic conversations.
(4) The result of using authorized recordings in terms of arrests, convictions or solving other crimes.
(5) Any conduct whatsoever of the informing investigators which is in violation of the provisions of § 971q of this title, or of the regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Justice.
(6) Any legislative recommendation he deems shall best serve the purposes for which this act is approved and will protect the privacy of individuals.
A copy of this report shall be sent to the Office of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
History —July 13, 1978, No. 33, p. 468, added as § 20 on June 19, 1987, No. 36, p. 120, § 8, eff. 180 days after June 19, 1987.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972 - Declaration of public policy

It is the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to offer protection and assistance to victims and witnesses in judicial proceedings elucidated in the courts as well as during the investigations that are carried out, to promote their full cooperation and participation free from intimidation in those proceedings.
In the case of minors who, are victims and witnesses to a crime or offense, it shall always be our intention to make them feel supported and protected throughout the different stages of the judicial procedures. Given the fact that in the last decade the number of cases in which minors are victims or witnesses of crimes or offenses has increased, and that the investigation which concems them tends to be more complex and entails a great number of human resources, it is necessary to establish the most rigorous interagency coordination and the greatest flexibility possible in order to reduce any psychological trauma that said procedures may cause to them, as well as to take protective measures to prevent them from feeling intimidated in the course of the same. In this manner, we shall not only promote their participation in the judicial procedures but we shall also ensure that they shall feel supported and protected during the entire process.
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 1; July 29, 1998, No. 184, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972a - Definitions

For the purposes of §§ 972—972j of this title, the following terms shall have the meaning expressed herein:
(a) Victim.— Means any natural person against whom any crime contemplated by the laws of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the laws of the United States of America has been committed or attempted.
(b) Witness.— Means any natural person who has knowledge of the existence or nonexistence of facts related to a crime or offense and whose testimony shall be admitted or has been admitted as evidence for any purpose, who has informed any police officer, prosecutor, sociopenal officer, penal guard, judicial official or representative of an investigative entity of the Commonwealth of any offense; he who has received a summons or order to appear at a proceeding before any magistrate of Puerto Rico or the United States, before the Legislature, or before a legally authorized public agency.
(c) Potential witness.— Means any natural person who has knowledge of the existence or nonexistence of facts related to a crime or offense.
(d) Family/relatives.— Means any natural person with family ties or of another nature with the victim, witnesses and potential witnesses of an offense, who could be victims of threats, aggressions, attacks or other means of intimidation, in order to prevent the participation of such victims, witnesses and potential witnesses in the judicial and investigative process.
(e) Secretary.— Means the Secretary of the Department of Justice of Puerto Rico.
(f) Official proceeding.— Means any judicial, legislative or administrative proceeding.
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 11, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972b - Authority and duty of Secretary

The Secretary of Justice of Puerto Rico shall have the duty and authority to establish the necessary measures to prevent the intimidation of victims, witnesses, potential witnesses, their family and relatives, and to provide them with the protection and assistance that is deemed necessary at a given moment to assure their participation in investigative and judicial proceedings. The person to be protected must give his consent in all cases.
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972c - Division; creation

(a) In order to implement the purposes of §§ 972—972j of this title, a Division for the Protection and Assistance to Victims, Witnesses, Potential Witnesses, their Family and Relatives is hereby created attached to the Special Investigations Bureau of the Department of Justice.
(b) The Protection Division shall be created under a system of cooperation and coordination between the Department of Justice and the Puerto Rico Police so that it shall be made up by enforcement agents of the Puerto Rico Police and personnel appointed by the Secretary of Justice pursuant to the provisions of § 2A of Act No. 64 of June 22, 1978, or under the authority granted to him by §§ 972—972j of this title.
(c) The members of the Puerto Rico Police assigned to the Protection Division shall continue to have the authority, prerogatives and power granted to them by law as law enforcement agents. The members designated by the Secretary of Justice shall have the power to accuse, arrest, seek court orders and have, possess, bear, carry and wield firearms.
(d) The Protection Division shall render its services throughout the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico during twenty-four (24) hours a day. The Secretary shall take the measures that shall allow the extension of protective services throughout the entire island.
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972d - Emergency line; establishment

(a) The Department of Justice shall establish and keep an emergency line in operation twenty-four (24) hours a day to serve crime victims, witnesses, potential witnesses, their family and relatives, who feel threatened by delinquents against whom they have testified or would have to testify.
(b) Every person who qualifies for protection under the provisions of §§ 972—972j of this title shall be instructed about the use of the emergency line.
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972e - Other protection services

When the circumstances so warrant, the Secretary may take other emergency measures in order to protect the persons who qualify under the provisions of §§ 972—972j of this title:
(a) He may acquire real estate or personal property by purchase, lease or in any other fashion and establish a shelter which shall provide safety and protection to lodge the victims, witnesses, potential witnesses and their family or relatives for the time he deems necessary.
(b) He may relocate the residence of the person or persons being protected outside the geographical area where they have resided and, in meritorious cases, outside Puerto Rico.
(c) He may order direct surveillance and other security measures at the residence of the affected person, provide protection and transportation at his place of employment and for his family and relatives; and, with the consent of the threatened person, he may use legally and constitutionally permissible electronic methods to investigate threats made against witnesses, victims, their family and relatives, including tracing telephone calls.
(d) In those cases in which the appearance of the witness, victim, their family or relatives in court prevents them from seeking employment, or that for their personal safety it would not be convenient for the witnesses, victims, family or relatives to be employed, he may order the necessary financial assistance as well as the payment of necessary essential services.
(e) He may (subject to prior consent by the affected person) order the necessary measures so that the Registry of Vital Statistics and the other public registries of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may change the identity or identification of the witness, victim, their family or relatives in those cases that it is necessary for the person’s safety.
(f) He may direct the necessary measures for the Department of Transportation and Public Works to change the license plate of the vehicle of a witness, victim, relative or acquaintance in the event that it is deemed necessary for the safety of the person.
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 5; June 19, 1987, No. 28, p. 88, § 1; Aug. 21, 2009, No. 87, § 2, eff. 90 days after Aug. 21, 2009.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972f - Authority to seek court orders

The Secretary may seek a cease and desist order from the courts at any time after an official process has been initiated, addressed to any person who is intimidating or attempting to intimidate, directly or indirectly, a victim, witness, potential witness, their family and relatives. Once it is issued, the Secretary or his representative shall serve notice of the order and the consequences for not obeying it to the accused or suspect through his lawyer if he has one, or personally when he does not have legal counsel.
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972g - Persons qualified under this chapter—Referral system

The Secretary shall establish a system for the referral of persons who qualify to receive protection services under the provisions of §§ 972—972j of this title to the Protection and Witness Assistance Division. Referrals shall take place whenever it is suspected that a victim, witness, potential witness, their family or relatives run the risk of threat, attack or any other form of intimidation by the suspect, accused or his family, friends or associates.
The Secretary must consider as sources for referral and information the agencies charged with law and order, other agencies where administrative and quasi-judicial processes are carried out, the courts of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States, other officials of the Judicial Branch and the District Attorneys Offices, the Criminal Investigations and Processing Division and the Special Investigations Division of the Department of Justice.
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972h - Persons qualified under this chapter—Eligibility for protection

The protection benefits provided by §§ 972—972j of this title shall be extended to every person victim of a crime, witness, potential witness, their family or relatives, regardless of the crime’s nature or degree, if it is determined that any of the persons mentioned is in danger of suffering threats, aggressions or direct or indirect intimidation in order to dissuade him from participating in the official procedure that is to be pursued, or when an attempt to influence his testimony is made or when he is exposed to any type of conduct contemplated in Sections 238, 239 and 239A of the Penal Code of Puerto Rico.
When circumstances so justify it, the protection provided under §§ 972—972j of this title may be extended to qualified persons even after the conclusion of the official process.
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWENTY-FIVE - Internal Security (§§ 1 — 3356) › Subtitle 1 - Generally (§§ 1 — 1973) › PART VII - Prevention and Control of Crime (§§ 901-912 — 983f) › Chapter 94C - Victims and Witnesses Protection (§§ 972 — 973c) › § 972i - Agreements with the United States Justice Department

The Secretary of Justice shall make the necessary agreements with the United States Department of Justice so that persons who qualify for protection under §§ 972—972j of this title in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico may resort to the benefits of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (Public Law 91-452; 84 Stat. 922) and the even broader benefits of the Victim and Witness Protection Act of 1982 (Public Law 97-291; 96 Stat. 1248).
History —July 9, 1986, No. 77, p. 249, § 9.