reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 395 - Secretaries—Liability on bond

For any wrongful act or omission to perform any duty imposed, by himself or his deputy, the secretary is liable on his official bond to any person injured.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 118, § 4, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 396 - Secretaries—Fees and accounts

All the money collected by the Clerk of the Supreme Court, the Clerk of the Appellate Circuit Court, all the Clerks of the Courts of First Instance, or those officers or employees appointed by the Administrative Director of Courts to perform collection duties, must be delivered by these to the Secretary of the Treasury on or before the third day of the month immediately following the one when collection was made, and if the Clerk of the Supreme Court, the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Appeals, all the clerks of the Courts of First Instance, or the person appointed by the Administrative Director of Courts to perform collection duties and deliver the amounts in question to the Secretary of the Treasury, as established, failed to do so, the amount that they failed to collect or to deliver shall be deducted from their salaries. The clerks of the Courts of First Instance, or the people appointed by the Administrative Director of Courts to perform collection duties, shall make and present to the Secretary of the Treasury the status of the accounts that they may request.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 118, § 5; Mar. 8, 1907, p. 242; Jan. 8, 2004, No. 3, § 2, eff. 30 days after Jan. 8, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 397 - Secretaries—Books and records

Each secretary of the Court of First Instance shall keep such books as are prescribed by the different Codes of Puerto Rico; and the Chief Justice may direct the form and style of the record to be kept by the secretaries of the Court of First Instance, but the same shall be uniform throughout the General Court of Justice.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 118, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 398 - Secretaries—Term of office; removal

The term of office of the secretary shall be for four (4) years; but he shall be subject to removal at any time by the Chief Justice for cause shown.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 118, § 8; Mar. 9, 1905, p. 120, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 399 - Marshals—Definitions

“Process,” as used in §§ 399—425 of this title, includes all writs, warrants, summonses and orders of courts of justice or judicial officers. “Notice” includes all papers and orders (except process) required to be served in any proceeding before any court, board or officer, or when required by law to be served independently of such proceeding.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 2, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 400 - Marshals—Term of office; removal

Court of First Instance marshals or deputy marshals shall be appointed for an indefinite term and while they observe good conduct, but the Chief Justice may dismiss them at any time for good reasons.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 31; July 23, 1974, No. 202, Part 2, p. 96, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 401 - Marshals—Duties generally

The marshal must:
(1) Attend all sessions of the Court of First Instance, and obey its lawful orders and directions.
(2) Command the aid of as many male inhabitants as he may think necessary in the execution of these duties.
(3) [Endorse] upon all process and notices the year, month, day, hour and minute of reception, and issue therefor to the person delivering it, on payment of fees, a certificate showing the name of parties, title of paper and time of reception.
(4) Serve all process and notices in the manner prescribed by law.
(5) Certify under his hand upon process or notices the manner and time of service, or, if he fails to make service, the reasons of his failure and return the same without delay.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 402 - Marshals—To act as crier

The marshal or his deputy in attendance upon court must act as the crier thereof, call the parties and witnesses and all other persons bound to appear at the court, and make proclamation of the opening and adjournment of the court, and of any other matter under its direction.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 16, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 403 - Marshals—Other duties

The marshal must perform such other duties as are required of him by law.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 20, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 404 - Marshals—Execution of process and orders regular on their face justified

A marshal or other ministerial officer is justified in the execution of and must execute all process and orders regular on their face and issued by competent authority, whatever may be the defect in the proceedings upon which they were issued.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 14, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 405 - Marshals—Officer to exhibit process

The officer executing process must then, and at all times subsequent, so long as he retains it, upon request, show the same with all papers attached to any person interested therein.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 15, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 406 - Marshals—Return of process to another part of court

When process or notices are returnable to another part, he may inclose such process or notice in an envelope, addressed to the officer from whom the same emanated, and deposit it in the post office, prepaying postage.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 4, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 407 - Marshals—Return prima facie evidence

The return of the marshal upon process or notices is prima facie evidence of the facts in such return stated.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 5, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 408 - Marshals—Penalty for nonreturn of process

If the marshal does not return a notice or process in his possession with the necessary indorsement thereon without delay, he is liable to the party aggrieved for the sum of two hundred dollars ($200) and for all damages sustained by him.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 6, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 409 - Marshals—Liability for failure to levy

If the marshal to whom a writ of execution is delivered neglects or refuses, after being required by the creditor or his attorney, to levy upon or sell any property of the party charged in the writ which is liable to be levied upon and sold, he is liable to the creditor for the value of such property.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 7, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 410 - Marshals—Damages for failure to pay over money

If he neglects or refuses to pay over on demand to the person entitled thereto any money which may come into his hands by virtue of his office, after deducting his legal fees, the amount thereof with twenty-five percent (25%) damages and interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per month from the time of demand may be recovered by such person.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 8, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 411 - Marshals—Liability for permitting escape

A marshal who suffers the escape of a person arrested in a civil action, without the consent or connivance of the party in whose behalf the arrest or imprisonment was made, is liable as follows:
(1) When the arrest is upon an order to hold to bail or upon a surrender in exoneration of bail before judgment, he is liable to the plaintiff as bail.
(2) When the arrest is on an execution or commitment to enforce the payment of money, he is liable for the amount expressed in the execution or commitment.
(3) When the arrest is on an execution or commitment, other than to enforce the payment of money, he is liable for the actual damages sustained.
(4) Upon being sued for damages for an escape or rescue, he may introduce evidence in mitigation and exculpation.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 9, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 412 - Marshals—Liability for rescue

He is liable for the rescue of a person arrested in a civil action equally as for an escape.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 10, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 413 - Marshals—No action for escape or rescue after recapture

An action cannot be maintained against the marshal for a rescue, or for an escape of a person arrested upon an execution or commitment, if, after his rescue or escape and before the commencement of the action, the prisoner returns to the jail or is retaken by the marshal.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 11, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 414 - Marshals—Written direction to marshal required

No direction or authority by a party or his attorney to the marshal in respect to the execution of process or return thereof, or to any act or omission relating thereto, is available to discharge or excuse the marshal from a liability for neglect or misconduct, unless it is contained in a writing, signed by the attorney of the party, or by the party if he has no attorney.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 12, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 415 - Marshals—When office deemed vacant

When the marshal is committed under an execution or commitment for not paying over money received by him by virtue of his office, and remains committed for sixty days, his office is vacant.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 13, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 416 - Marshals—Service of papers other than process on marshal

Service of a paper, other than process, upon the marshal, may be made by delivering it to him or to one of his deputies, or to a person in charge of the office during office hours.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 17, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 417 - Marshals—Execution of process

When the marshal is a party to an action or proceeding the process therein, which it would otherwise be the duty of the marshal to execute, must be executed by some person duly authorized by the court for such purpose.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 18, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 418 - Marshals—Execution of process and orders when marshal disqualified

Process and orders in an action or proceeding may be executed by a person residing in the district, designated by the court or judge thereof, when the marshal is a party to any case, or when it appears by affidavit to the satisfaction of the court in which the proceeding is pending, or the judge thereof, that said marshal is disqualified, or that by reason of any bias, prejudice or other cause would not act promptly or impartially. When the process is thus delivered to any person appointed by the court to serve the same, he must execute and return it in the same manner as the marshal is required to execute similar process.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 19, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 419 - Marshals—Powers and duties of person, other than marshal, executing process and orders

An officer appointed to execute process and orders, as mentioned in §§ 399—425 of this title, is invested with the powers, duties and responsibilities of the marshal in the execution of the process or orders, and in every matter incidental thereto.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 21, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 420 - Marshals—Certificate of new marshal; former marshal’s powers cease upon service

When a new marshal is appointed and has been qualified, and given the security required by law, the proper returning officer must give a certificate of the fact, under his seal of office, upon the service of which upon the former marshal his powers cease, except as otherwise provided in §§ 399—425 of this title.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 22, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 421 - Marshals—Delivery of papers to successor

Within three days after the service of the certificate upon the former marshal he must deliver to his successor:
(1) All process and orders for the arrest of a party, and all papers relating to the summoning of a trial jury, which have not been fully executed.
(2) All executions, attachments and final process, as well as all other documents he possesses by virtue of his office, except those which he has executed, by the collections of money or a levy on property.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 23, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 422 - Marshals—Acknowledgment of transfer by successor

He must also at the same time deliver to the new marshal a written transfer of the property, process and papers delivered. The new marshal must thereupon acknowledge in writing on a duplicate of the transfer, the receipt of the property, process and papers therein specified.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 24, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 423 - Marshals—Court order on refusal to deliver to successor

If the former marshal refuses or neglects to deliver to his successor the process and papers in his charge, the Court of First Instance, or any judge thereof, may, upon application, order the delivery of the process and papers.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 25, eff. July 1, 1904.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 424 - Bailiffs—Fees and accounts

All bailiffs or those officers or employees appointed by the Administrative Director of Courts to perform collection duties, shall collect payments in advance and shall deliver them to the Secretary of the Treasury on or before the third day of the month immediately following the one when collection was made and if they failed to collect or to deliver said money to the Secretary of the Treasury, as established, the amount that they failed to collect or to deliver, shall be deducted from their salaries. The bailiffs or those officers or employees appointed by the Administrative Director of Courts to perform collection duties, shall make and present to the Secretary of the Treasury the state of accounts that they may request.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 26; Mar. 9, 1907, p. 243; Jan. 8, 2004, No. 3, § 3, eff. 30 days after Jan. 8, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 425 - Bailiffs—Official bond

The bailiffs or those officers or employees appointed by the Administrative Director of Courts to perform collection duties, shall be covered by that bond established in favor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to respond for the faithful discharge of duties in their work.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 111, § 30; Apr. 18, 1950, No. 59, p. 150, § 1; Jan. 8, 2004, No. 3, § 3, eff. 30 days after Jan. 8, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 426 - Public defenders—Office created

The office of public defender is hereby created and established in Puerto Rico.
History —Apr. 29, 1940, No. 19, p. 612, § 1, eff. July 1, 1940.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 427 - Public defenders—Defense of indigent persons

The duty of public defenders shall be to represent before the Court of First Instance and before the courts of appeal, every person accused of a felony or misdemeanor which may entail a penalty of more than one (1) year, and from the nature and circumstances of which the court may determine that the accused needs the services of a lawyer, when he lacks the financial means to pay for said services.
History —Apr. 29, 1940, No. 91, p. 612, § 2; May 1, 1941, No. 71, p. 652, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 428 - Public defenders—Proof of insolvency; waiver of right to counsel

The accused who, in accordance with §§ 426—429 of this title, is entitled to the appointment of a defender, shall file sworn evidence as to his state of insolvency and as to his inability to obtain financial means to procure the services of a lawyer and the court may admit and consider sworn evidence to the contrary presented by the prosecuting attorney or by any citizen. It shall likewise be incumbent on the Court of First Instance to determine when the accused has intelligently waived his right to be assisted in his defense by a lawyer; or who, being able to provide himself with a defender, does not do so.
History —Apr. 29, 1940, No. 91, p. 612, § 3, eff. July 1, 1940.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 429 - Public defenders—Remuneration

The public defenders shall be remunerated for the services which they may render, in accordance with such rules for the fixing of fees as the Secretary of Justice may prepare and promulgate. Authority to do so is hereby conferred upon the Secretary of Justice. The sum which is deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of §§ 426—429 of this title shall be appropriated in the general budget of expenses of the Commonwealth Government.
History —Apr. 29, 1940, No. 91, p. 612, § 4; May 11, 1943, No. 70, p. 164, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter III - Personnel of Former Superior Court (§§ 391 — 431) › § 430 - Moneys paid to secretaries of Court of First Instance; records

All the amounts of money received in the respective divisions of the Court of First Instance as costs, fines, forfeiture of bonds, pecuniary penalties or confiscations or for any other concept shall be paid to the Clerk of said court or to the employee or officer designated by the Administrative Director of the Courts to perform collection duties and it shall be their obligation to make a detailed and an exact accounting of all the money received, specifying the date when payment was made, by whom and for what concept.
History —Feb. 20, 1903, p. 57, § 2, renumbered as § 1 and amended on Jan. 8, 2004, No. 3, eff. 30 days after Jan. 8, 2004.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter IV - Personnel of District Court (§§ 441 — 446) › § 442 - Duties, term of office, and removal—Secretaries of district court

The term of office of secretary of the District Court shall be for four (4) years; but he shall be subject to removal at any time by the Chief Justice for cause shown. The duties of secretary of the District Court shall be identical with the duties of the secretaries of the Court of First Instance, the same as defined in §§ 392—398 of this title.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 103, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter IV - Personnel of District Court (§§ 441 — 446) › § 443 - Duties, term of office, and removal—Marshals of district court

District Court marshals and deputy marshals shall be appointed for an indefinite term and while they observe good conduct: but the Chief Justice may dismiss them at any time for good reasons. The duties of District Court marshals and deputy marshals shall be identical to those prescribed by §§ 399—425 of this title.
History —Mar. 10, 1904, p. 103, § 10; July 23, 1974, No. 202, Part 2, p. 96, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 35 - Personnel (§§ 361 — 446) › Subchapter IV - Personnel of District Court (§§ 441 — 446) › § 444 - Functions of deputy secretaries and deputy marshals

The deputy secretaries and the deputy marshals of the District Court shall have the same powers, attributes, obligations, and duties as the marshals and secretaries, respectively, of said Court; and they may authorize and sign certifications, summonses, and, in general, all such legal documents as the marshals and secretaries are authorized to execute, their acts having the same validity as those authorized by the latter; but when they are acting at the same time as the secretaries and marshals, they may sign legal documents and certifications stating over their signatures that they do it by order of the latter; and in cases of absence, they may sign, stating after their signatures that they do so as acting officers.
History —Mar. 23, 1937, No. 6, p. 128, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 37 - Publication of Decisions (§§ 471-488 — 492) › § 489 - Publication of Decisiones de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Reports, Digesto de Puerto Rico and other works—Compiler and publicist

On and from the date of approval of this act, the Compiler and Publicist of Jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, shall, under the direction and supervision of the Supreme Court, be in charge of the preparation and publication of:
(1) The fascicles or booklets and the bound volumes of the opinions and other judicial decisions of the Supreme Court, which shall be known as the Decisiones de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Reports).
(2) The bound volumes of the opinions and other judicial decisions of the Supreme Court published in the English language, prepared by the Bureau of Translations of the Supreme Court, translated into the English language and certified by said Bureau and which shall be known as the Puerto Rico Reports.
(3) The bound volumes of doctrinal digest of all the Puerto Rico Reports published in Spanish, which shall be known as the Digesto de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Digest) and its supplements;
(4) any other work that the Court may deem convenient to publish.
History —Apr. 11, 1968, No. 19, p. 29, § 1; June 19, 1969, No. 47, p. 87, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 37 - Publication of Decisions (§§ 471-488 — 492) › § 490 - Publication of Decisiones de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Reports, Digesto de Puerto Rico and other works—Faculties of Supreme Court

With regard to the publications referred to in § 489 of this title, the Supreme Court shall have all such faculties as may be necessary to secure the expeditious preparation and printing of said publications, among others:
(1) To determine which judicial decisions and which additional material must be included in each one of them.
(2) To determine the number of copies which are to be published, which shall not be less than 600 volumes of the Decisiones de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Reports) and 50 volumes of the Puerto Rico Reports; as well as the size and style of the publications.
(3) To enter into contract with private enterprises for the printing work under the terms and conditions as said Court may deem convenient, upon or without the holding of a bidding, as determined by the said Court, which shall not be subject to the provisions of Act No. 96 of June 29, 1954. To such ends it may contract for the printing of more than one volume of the Decisiones de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Reports) and a new Puerto Rico Digest. There shall be included in the Operational Budget of the Supreme Court the necessary sums to defray expenses for the printing of such volumes. If during any year, sufficient funds have not been appropriated for this purpose, the cost thereof shall be paid from any unencumbered funds in the Commonwealth Treasury.
History —Apr. 11, 1968, No. 19, p. 29, § 2; June 19, 1969, No. 47, p. 87, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 37 - Publication of Decisions (§§ 471-488 — 492) › § 492 - Publication of Decisiones de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Reports, Digesto de Puerto Rico and other works—Permission for reprinting

The Supreme Court shall, when it deems convenient to the public interest, grant to private enterprises, with nonexclusive character, permit for the reprinting of such exhausted volumes of the Decisiones de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Reports), Puerto Rico Reports and of the Puerto Rico Digest.
History —Apr. 11, 1968, No. 19, p. 29, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 39 - Bureau of Translations (§§ 501 — 506) › § 501 - Creation

There is hereby created in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico a Bureau of Translations.
History —May 31, 1972, No. 87, p. 226, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 39 - Bureau of Translations (§§ 501 — 506) › § 502 - Duties

The Bureau of Translations shall have as essential duties for its operation the translations into the English language of any order, decision, resolution, opinion or judgment rendered by the Supreme Court; or by any part of the Court of First Instance and of the judgment records, transcriptions of evidence and other necessary records in civil or criminal cases decided by said courts with the exclusive faculty of certifying for the Clerk of the court as may correspond the correction of the translations of said expedients or records which must be presented before the Supreme Court or any other court of the United States for any appeal or revision purposes or for any other proceedings. This Bureau shall also translate the Puerto Rico Reports and any rules and regulations promulgated by the Supreme Court and any other translations that may be assigned to it by the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice or the Clerk.
History —May 31, 1972, No. 87, p. 226, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 39 - Bureau of Translations (§§ 501 — 506) › § 503 - Copies of records for indigent litigants; regulation

The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is hereby empowered through the Bureau hereby created to issue, free of cost, certified copies translated into English of any judgment records or documents mentioned in § 502 of this title, upon request of an insolvent defendant or litigant, or his counsel, for the purposes provided in the above section. The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico is hereby empowered to fix by regulation the norms which shall govern the determination of the status of insolvency of the party seeking to avail himself of the benefits of this chapter.
History —May 31, 1972, No. 87, p. 226, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 39 - Bureau of Translations (§§ 501 — 506) › § 504 - Tariff

In those cases where the Supreme Court has not made a determination so that the Bureau may issue copies translated into English free of charge for the purposes mentioned in this chapter, as well as for certifications when so required, the Bureau shall charge for the work performed those fees fixed by the Supreme Court in accordance with the powers conferred thereto under this Act.
History —May 31, 1972, No. 87, p. 226, § 4; Sept. 22, 2004, No. 426, § 1; Nov. 5, 2009, No. 47, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 39 - Bureau of Translations (§§ 501 — 506) › § 505 - Operational expense

The necessary appropriation to cover the additional expenses in which the Supreme Court may incur by reason of the approval of this act shall be set aside in the operational budget of the court.
History —May 31, 1972, No. 87, p. 226, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 39 - Bureau of Translations (§§ 501 — 506) › § 506 - Officials and employees; permanence in office and status

All the officials and employees who are set at present rendering services in the existing Section of Translations of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico shall hold their offices and status as such officials and employees without detriment to their right and salaries. Both the Director of this Bureau as well as the translators shall be in the exempt service and shall have the classification and compensation that the Supreme Court may establish by regulation. The other offices shall continue having the same classification and compensation as at present.
History —May 31, 1972, No. 87, p. 226, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 41 - Autonomous Personnel System Administration (§§ 521 — 525) › § 521 - Rules regulating administration of personnel—Power to adopt

The Supreme Court is hereby empowered to adopt rules to govern the personnel administration of the Judiciary Branch.
History —May 31, 1973, No. 64, p. 295, § 1; July 12, 1986, No. 128, p. 389, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 41 - Autonomous Personnel System Administration (§§ 521 — 525) › § 522 - Rules regulating administration of personnel—Contents

The rules to be adopted by the Supreme Court shall contain provisions to govern everything relative to admission tests, promotion tests, admission lists, promotion lists, readmission lists, probatory employees, regular employees, assignment and reassignment of positions, classification plan, compensation plan, procedure to fill vacancies, allegiance oath, probation work, provisional appointments, emergency appointments, transfers, reassignment or readmission for disability, working hours, holidays, leaves, disciplinary actions and removals, appeals and other matters related to the system of personnel administration herein established.
History —May 31, 1973, No. 64, p. 295, § 2, eff. 90 days after May 31, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 41 - Autonomous Personnel System Administration (§§ 521 — 525) › § 523 - Rules regulating administration of personnel—Evaluation of officers and employees

These rules shall contain norms for the objective evaluation of the officers and employees of the Judiciary Branch.
The officers and employers, except as determined by the Supreme Court by said rules, may be suspended or removed only for good reason, through the preferment of charges and shall be entitled to defend themselves and to be heard in the manner provided by this chapter.
History —May 31, 1973, No. 64, p. 295, § 3, eff. 90 days after May 31, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 41 - Autonomous Personnel System Administration (§§ 521 — 525) › § 525 - Penalties

Any person who willfully violates any of the provisions of this chapter, for which no other penalty has been provided, or of the rules adopted hereunder, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, punished by a fine of not less than twenty [dollars] ($20) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200) or by imprisonment in jail for not more than ninety (90) days, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
History —May 31, 1973, No. 64, p. 295, § 5, eff. 90 days after May 31, 1973.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › §§ 531 - to 531r. Repealed

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 1; June 16, 1978, No. 50, p. 175, § 1; July 27, 1996, No. 90, § 1; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531a - Definitions [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 2; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531b - Executive Board—Creation and composition [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 3; July 13, 1978, No. 36, p. 485, § 1; July 27, 1996, No. 90, § 2; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531c - Executive Board—Powers and duties [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 4; July 13, 1978, No. 36, p. 485, § 2; Sept. 15, 2004, No. 314, § 8; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531d - Executive Board—Reports and recommendations [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 5; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531e - Executive Board—Personnel [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 6; July 13, 1978, No. 36, p. 485, § 3; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531f - Executive Board—Contracting of services [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 7; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531g - Executive Board—Security and accuracy of the information; protection of individual privacy [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 8; Sept. 15, 2004, No. 314, § 9; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531h - Executive Board—Per diems and travel expenses [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 9; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531i - Administrative director; duties and responsibilities [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 10; July 13, 1978, No. 36, p. 485, § 4; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531j - Working group—Composition [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 11; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531k - Working group—Duties and responsibilities [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 12; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531l - Data center [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 13; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531m - Acceptance of economic assistance [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 14; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531n - Administrative review [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 15; July 13, 1978, No. 36, p. 485, § 5; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531o - Judicial review [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 16; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531p - Appropriation of funds [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 17; July 13, 1978, No. 36, p. 485, § 6; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531q - Administrative services [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, § 18; July 13, 1978, No. 36, p. 485, § 7; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 43 - Criminal Justice Information System (§§ 531 — 531r) › § 531r - Penalties [Repealed]

History —June 30, 1977, No. 129, p. 375, added as § 20 on July 13, 1978, No. 36, p. 485, § 8; Sept. 15, 2004, No. 314, § 10; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 44 - Informal Forums (§§ 532 — 532e) › § 532 - Centers and programs authorized

The establishment of programs or centers to serve as informal forums to settle certain disputes and conflicts which arise between citizens is hereby authorized.
History —Sept. 22, 1983, No. 19, p. 404, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 44 - Informal Forums (§§ 532 — 532e) › § 532a - Regulation—Supreme Court

The Supreme Court, in the exercise of its general regulatory powers, shall adopt the rules which may be necessary for the operation of the programs or centers, pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
History —Sept. 22, 1983, No. 19, p. 404, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 44 - Informal Forums (§§ 532 — 532e) › § 532b - Regulation—Contents

The regulations adopted for the establishment of programs or centers for the settlement of disputes shall provide, among other factors, the following:
(a) Objectives and purposes of the programs or centers as well as the criteria or requirements for their operation.
(b) Procedures for the filing of complaints and to hold the sessions or informal hearings in which the parties involved in the conflict may participate.
(c) The procedures to insure that the disputes to be processed comply with the criteria or requirements adopted, and the procedures to refuse the cases which do not meet said criteria or requirements.
(d) The procedures to notify the parties of the date, place, and hour of the hearings.
(e) The procedures to insure that the participation of the parties is voluntary.
History —Sept. 22, 1983, No. 19, p. 404, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 44 - Informal Forums (§§ 532 — 532e) › § 532c - Requirements

The centers or programs established under this chapter shall fulfill the following requirements:
(a) To provide for the prompt solution of specific matters of civil or criminal nature, in an informal and simple manner without resorting to adversary procedures.
(b) They shall be located in the neighborhood or community in which the services shall be rendered, or in a place conveniently accessible to the participants, and shall offer its services for the settlement of disputes in such hours as may be convenient for the participants, including weekends and afternoon and evening hours.
(c) They shall provide the services of neutral persons who will not have the power to impose sanctions or penalties, but who will try to informally facilitate negotiations between parties so that a solution to the conflict can be reached.
History —Sept. 22, 1983, No. 19, p. 404, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 44 - Informal Forums (§§ 532 — 532e) › § 532d - Confidentiality and privilege

Any information related to any case or matter received by a person working in the center, or who is taking part in any program, is privileged and confidential and cannot be revealed without the written consent of all of the parties involved. Any investigation or evaluation of the activities and work of the center or program must not compromise the confidentiality of said information.
History —Sept. 22, 1983, No. 19, p. 404, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE FOUR - Judiciary (§§ 1-3 — 2166) › PART II - Court Administration (§§ 301 — 536h) › Chapter 44 - Informal Forums (§§ 532 — 532e) › § 532e - Cooperation of agencies

The government agencies must cooperate in the establishing of the centers or programs authorized by this chapter.
History —Sept. 22, 1983, No. 19, p. 404, § 6.