Legal System of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is located in Central America N Caribbean. It is geographically situated in caribbean, island between the caribbean sea and the north atlantic ocean, east of the dominican republic. The country achieved independence on none (territory of the us with commonwealth status). The capital is San Juan.

Government Overview

Government Type: unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; note - reference Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, 2 March 1917, as amended by Public Law 600, 3 July 1950 Chief of State: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025) Head of Government: Governor Jenniffer GONZÁLEZ-COLÓN (since 2 January 2025) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor with the consent of the Legislative Assembly Administrative Divisions: no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 78 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) are considered second-order: Adjuntas, Aguada, Aguadilla, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Anasco, Arecibo, Arroyo, Barceloneta, Barranquitas, Bayamon, Cabo Rojo, Caguas, Camuy, Canovanas, Carolina, Catano, Cayey, Ceiba, Ciales, Cidra, Coamo, Comerio, Corozal, Culebra, Dorado, Fajardo, Florida, Guanica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Guaynabo, Gurabo, Hatillo, Hormigueros, Humacao, Isabela, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Juncos, Lajas, Lares, Las Marias, Las Piedras, Loiza, Luquillo, Manati, Maricao, Maunabo, Mayaguez, Moca, Morovis, Naguabo, Naranjito, Orocovis, Patillas, Penuelas, Ponce, Quebradillas, Rincon, Rio Grande, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San German, San Juan, San Lorenzo, San Sebastian, Santa Isabel, Toa Alta, Toa Baja, Trujillo Alto, Utuado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja, Vieques, Villalba, Yabucoa, Yauco National Holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Puerto Rico is described as civil law system based on the Spanish civil code, within the framework of the US federal system

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: previous 1900 (Organic Act, or Foraker Act); latest ratified by referendum 3 March 1952, approved 3 July 1952, effective 25 July 1952 Amendment Process: proposed by a concurrent resolution of at least two-thirds majority by the total Legislative Assembly membership; approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses and approval by a majority of voters in a special referendum; if passed by at least three-fourths Assembly vote, the referendum can be held concurrently with the next general election; constitutional articles such as the republican form of government or the bill of rights cannot be amended

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 8 associate justices) Judge Selection: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by majority Senate vote; judges serve until compulsory retirement at age 70 Subordinate Courts: Court of Appeals; First Instance Court comprised of superior and municipal courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Note: note: Puerto Rico directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 4-year term as a commissioner to the US House of Representatives; the commissioner can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House but not when legislation is submitted for a ‘full floor’ House vote; election of commissioner last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022) Lower Chamber: House of Representatives (Camara de Representantes) (51 (directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): plurality/majority Upper Chamber: Senate (Senado)

Citizenship and Suffrage

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, Puerto Rico was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 after Christopher COLUMBUS’ second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly elected governors have served since 1948.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Puerto Rico based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.