The Mexican federal government is organized like that of the United States, with an executive branch, a bicameral Congress and a Supreme Court.
Whereas the U.S. Supreme Court has 9 members selected for life, Mexico’s Supreme Court has 11 members, with 15-year terms.
In the Spanish language, the Mexican Supreme Court is known as Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación (SCJN), The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation.
The Supreme Court building (pictured left) is located in downtown Mexico City close to the Zocalo Plaza.
The equivalent of the U.S. Chief Justice is the President of the Court, chosen by fellow judges of the court. The current President of the Court is Norma Lucía Piña Hernández (pictured left).
In recent years the Supreme Court has become more powerful and independent, having ruled against both the executive and legislative branches.
On the Supreme Court website you can view actual video of Supreme Court sessions, click here for that.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, referred to by his initials AMLO (pictured below), has proposed some changes for the Supreme Court, which are now in consideration in the Mexican Congress.
AMLO wants to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges from the current 11 to 9.
The presidente also wants their terms to be reduced from 15 years to 12 years.
And here’s a big one. AMLO wants all judges, including those of the Supreme Court, to be chosen by public elections. That would be a big change. (For sources, click here and here).
Will these changes take place or not? That depends on the developing political situation in Mexico.