Federal Police Provides Officers with Cards Listing Suspects' Rights EFE
go to original January 29, 2013

MEXICO CITY - The Mexican Federal Police is providing its more than 37,000 officers with cards listing suspects' rights as part of the new procedures that must be followed when an arrest is made, the Government Secretariat said.

Deputy Government Secretary for Planning and Institutional Protection Manuel Mondragon y Kalb ordered the distribution of the cards to officers so they can advise suspects of their rights, the secretariat said in a statement.

Federal Police officers must now advise suspects of the reason for the arrest and that they are considered innocent until proven guilty, the secretariat said.

Suspects will be told that they have the right to give a statement or remain silent, and that they have the right against self-incrimination, the Government Secretariat said.

Officers must advise suspects that they have the right to an attorney of their choice and will be provided with one for free if they cannot afford to pay for legal counsel, the secretariat said.

Suspects will be advised that they have the right to an interpreter and to have relatives or a person of their choice notified of their arrest.

Officers must also advise suspects that they have the right to be handed over to the appropriate authorities and foreigners must be told that their country's consulate will be notified of their detention, the Government Secretariat said.

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