Chaos erupts in Mexico after lawmakers pass judicial overhaul bill

NBC News' Ellison Barber reports on the chaos in Mexico after lawmakers passed a controversial bill overhauling the judicial system. Judges at all levels will now have to be elected by popular vote rather than appointed. 

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[tcsmagicbox]

Here in the U.S., many local judges are elected. When you look at judges who are appointed, including the U.S. Supreme Court, some of them are making outrageous rulings with impunity.

[FarmerRiddick]

I'm looking at things through the eyes as a US citizen.
I don't know what the right answer is. I do know that I do not appreciate elected judges nor, do I appreciate appointed judges that have no real accountability or oversight.
It seems, our southern neighbor is now entering a radical experiment, from top to bottom. It will be interesting to see if things improve, or become worse.
I only wish Mexico the the best.

[gabec]

The best decision in years, these judges make so much money and mostly corrupt.They make millions and millions and criminals buy their way out.

[prp]

This news report didn’t report that judges make ridiculous salaries. For example, the chief judge last year made $578, 000 pesos. For context, the President made $270, 000. The average household salary is $100, 000 pesos. The president passed salary reform to cut judicial salaries and the Supreme Court blocked it.

[tomboyjessie]

Good call, Mexico. Now I wish America can do the same.

[gerardocalvillo]

Letting corrupt politicians and criminals out of jail is the reason this is happening....good for the people of. Mexico 🇲🇽 🇲🇽

[judewarner]

When people recognise an incompetent or corrupt judge, they will have the option to prevent them from achieving top judicial positions by not voting for them.

[JuanCruz-etso]

The opposed people are the ones holding and controlling those jobs and the are mad because they just lost a gold mine with all the kickbacks and money under the table they get to push their own interests

[josueborja]

Judges in Mexico are super corrupt! So what is the worst that can happen they stay corrupt 😂😂😂😂

[aldogalindo]

What caos ? It was a group of protesters, don’t lie!

[ricardomendosa]

Haha they get upset, because they cannot steal from the mexican people. Good Job Amlo.

[nelivv]

The judicial system is not perfect right now, and anyone who thinks it was, has clearly not lived in Mexico.

The reform is supported by the majority of Mexicans, unlike other occasions, there are no daily mass protests in the streets against the reform, because it is backed by most people. The individuals who entered the Senate chamber yesterday were people with government connections who obtained 'permission' from the opposition to break into the room, clearly as a way to stage a television show and claim that this is a dictatorship, which is far from the truth.

The majority of us who voted, voted for AMLO, and we want this change.

In Mexico, while presidents and Congress are elected by popular vote, the Judicial branch exercised a power almost superior to that of the president, vetoing laws, reforms, or giving rulings in cases where wealthy or well-connected individuals benefited, but not supporting an equitable justice system. There's the example of the CEO of TV Azteca, who owes millions of dollars to the tax system but received protection from the Supreme Court to avoid paying taxes.

The 'One Size Fits All' judicial system doesn't work here in Mexico because those who held power wielded it only to benefit a few. That is why, in Mexico's current context, this reform is so necessary.

[spikespiegel]

It was about time to make a change like this, too much corruption in the supreme Court

[lovethatforme]

Of course there are valid concerns. However appointed judges often get away with abusing their power and not holding real criminals accountable right now.

[soniasosa]

Good for Mexico!
Remove all the Judges whom don’t have the people’s best interest and let the citizens elect those that do.

[ljss]

How silly can you be to claim that appointing judges democratically will lead to a dictatorship? I'm a proud Mexican today.

[sergiovilleda]

It’s not controversial!! It was needed long long time ago.

[paisa]

Long lasting lineages of families who hold these posts and only care about holding the post will 100% put their interests before their employers, the people.

[wesandrews]

If America were a better country we would be able to elect our supreme Court

[charlesurban]

42 American states elect their respective judiciaries. Why wouldn't that work in Mexico?