Background on the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN)
The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) is Mexico’s highest court responsible for interpreting the Constitution and ensuring that laws comply with it. Its decisions have significant implications for the country’s legal framework and human rights protection.
Case Overview
In a recent ruling, the SCJN declared invalid several articles from municipal income laws in nine Morelos municipalities. These articles imposed charges for providing public lighting services and penalties for sleeping outside or administrative offenses such as causing public disturbances, disrespecting authorities, and participating in dangerous games.
Invalidated Charges for Public Lighting
Under the leadership of Giovanni Figueroa Mejía, the Court invalidated Article 11 of Mazatepec’s Income Law related to charging for public lighting services. This decision was based on Article 31 of the Constitution, which considers such charges unreasonable.
The majority vote determined that charging between 0.08 and 15 Universal Measuring Units (UMA) – equivalent to 9.05 pesos and 1,697.10 pesos – for certified or simple copies was excessive. These fees were deemed unreasonable as they did not reflect the actual costs of materials or certification processes.
Invalidated Penalties for Sleeping Outside
Fines of up to 2,838 pesos for sleeping outside, as established in Articles 25(c) of Mazatepec’s Income Law and 48(I) of Miacatlán’s Income Law, were also declared invalid. The Court found these penalties violated the principles of equality and non-discrimination.
“These administrative regulations penalizing sleeping outside in public spaces are discriminatory because they disproportionately affect individuals who, due to their personal circumstances, need to sleep in such conditions,” explained Figueroa Mejía.
Impact and Relevance
The SCJN’s decision ensures that local governments cannot impose excessive fees for public services or unjustified penalties for vulnerable individuals. This ruling upholds constitutional rights and promotes social equity by preventing discriminatory practices.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the main issue addressed by the SCJN? The Court invalidated charges for public lighting services and penalties for sleeping outside in nine Morelos municipalities, deeming them unconstitutional and discriminatory.
- Which specific articles were declared invalid? Article 11 of Mazatepec’s Income Law related to public lighting charges and fines for sleeping outside in Mazatepec (Article 25, fraction c) and Miacatlán (Article 48, fraction I) were invalidated.
- Why were these charges and penalties considered unconstitutional? The SCJN found that the fees for certified copies were excessive and did not reflect actual costs. Additionally, penalties for sleeping outside violated equality and non-discrimination principles.
