''Justicia mayor'' was a title in the century

Spanish Empire The Spanish Empire, sometimes referred to as the Hispanic Monarchy (political entity), Hispanic Monarchy or the Catholic Monarchy, was a colonial empire that existed between 1492 and 1976. In conjunction with the Portuguese Empire, it ushered ...

. A ''Justicia mayor'' could perform law enforcement and judicial functions within a town, city of region. It was similar to the position of

sheriff A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in Iceland, the , which is common ...

in some jurisdictions.

History

The 13th century Castillian-Leon Court started to use the term ''alguacil'' to designate the '' Alférez del rey'' deputy for judicial matters. However, in the 14th century the term ''Justicia mayor'' was used to refer to the same officer. The term referred to the executioner of Kings and/or Judges. The ''Justicia mayor'' was assisted by other ''"alguaciles menores"'' (deputies). The ''Justicia mayor'' was the highest authority in his jurisdiction.

Functions

The functions of the ''Justicia mayor'' in the King's household were as follows:

Judicial

* Ensure that tribunals possessed the necessary elements to facilitate judicial proceedings. * Apprehend and detain those who were to be judged. * Follow through on the punishments ordered by the King or his Judges. * Carry out sentences, whether civil or criminal.

Law enforcement

* Prevent crime. * Impose punishment. * Protect Tribunal facilities. * Remove folks loitering around the tribunals. * Arrest criminals. * Control business practices to prevent fraud. * Defend the rule of law * Prevent civil unrest. * Maintain order during judicial proceedings.

Puerto Rico

''Justicias mayores'' were named in Puerto Rico in the mid-1810s. These position/titles appeared after the Spanish constitutional system was abolished. The ''Justicias mayores'' performed the functions later performed by a mayor, but many other functions as well. These district authorities had powers that included police, tax collection, justice, and war. They were to preside over the ''

ayuntamiento ''Ayuntamiento'' ()In other languages of Spain: * (). * (). * (). is the general term for the town council, or ''cabildo'', of a municipality or, sometimes, as is often the case in Spain and Latin America, for the municipality itself. is mai ...

'', carry out orders from the Provincial Government, and exercise judgment where the laws allowed it. In Puerto Rico, the ''teniente justicia mayor'' for the Ponce District (which included Ponce, Coamo, and much of the southern region) was Alejandro Ordonez. The ''Justicia mayor'' positions, however, did not last long because, upon the issuance of the Cédula Real (Royal Decree) of 6 June 1816, they were terminated and regular ''alcaldes'' were named instead. The naming of ''alcaldes'' lasted until 1820 when towns went back to electing their own ''alcalde''.Eduardo Neuman Gandia. Verdadera y Autentica Historia de La Ciudad de Ponce. San Juan: Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña. 1913. p. 49.

References

Sources

* Jaime de Salazar y Acha. ''La casa del Rey de Castilla y León en la Edad Media.'' Centro de Estudios Políticos y Constitucionales. Madrid: Rumagraf S.A. Colección Historia de la Sociedad Política. First edition. 2000. {{ISBN, 9788425911286. Reconquista Military ranks Military history of Spain Spanish colonial governors and administrators Early modern history of Spain 14th-century establishments in Spain 1833 disestablishments Positions of subnational authority