Dealing With Police Extortion in Mexico – Things You Should Know

Police extortion has become an epidemic for most countries struggling with the issue of racial profiling. The Transparency International’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALAC) have received more than 1500 complaints, including some related to police and military extortion, since January 2020.

 

Mexico is a hub of drug wars and organized crime. Many of its police departments are actively involved in extortion, with a wide range of factors contributing to this practice’s longevity. The primary reason why police continue to extort Mexican citizens is that they’re at no risk of being charged for it. In fact, the prosecution is highly like to grant such authorities immunity against such a crime.

“Mexico’s police forces are infamous for their corruption, their use of torture and violence, and their ties to organized crime,” said José Miguel Vivanco, America's director at Human Rights Watch. “These protests, which echo the global wave of outrage sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in the US, also express the profound and longstanding mistrust and frustration that many Mexicans feel toward their abusive police forces.”

With the recent example of police brutality in the George Floyd case, it’s become critical for people to find ways to deal with police extortion as wisely as possible. Here’s what you should do in such circumstances.

Call 911

Extortionists often arrest people without a warrant to establish superiority. All police officers must present evidence to prove they have probable cause to arrest you. Usually, the police arrest people as a consequence of them not obeying them or doing what they ask them to do.

 

In such cases, it’s essential to call 911 to report extortion at the earliest. It’s the safest way to deal with the situation, especially when you’re confident that you haven’t committed a felony or crime in the officer’s presence.

 

Record the Interaction

As a police misconduct victim, you have the legal right to file a complaint with your nearest police department. Recording your interaction with the extortionist can come in handy when providing the law enforcement with the details about what happened.

 

The more evidence you provide, the higher are the chances of the officer getting fired, reinstated, or suspended from their duties.

Reach Out to Your Attorney

Detentions are arrests resulting from brief encounters in which the police question and search a potential suspect of a crime. The recent George Floyd case is an example of unlawful detention because it violates a citizen’s right to be free.

When you experience considerably prolonged detention or are being arrested without probable cause, you must immediately call your criminal defense attorney to request bail for you and file a complaint against the officer.

 

The senior criminal defense attorney Fabian Meneses specializes in helping victims of police extortion and abuse stay out of legal trouble in Mexico. If you’re looking for a qualified cross-border lawyer or criminal defense attorney to counsel or defend you in Tijuana, Mexico, feel free to get in touch with the legal team at Meneses Legal. Call them at (664)500-6896 in Tijuana or (619)777-8627 in San Diego today!