Interdisciplinary Exchanges
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The CWAG Alliance Partnership's signature events, Interdisciplinary Exchanges, brings together prosecutors, police investigators and forensic experts with the objective of exploring the role of each branch of the investigative trilogy in preparing and prosecuting a criminal case in Mexico's new oral accusatorial criminal justice system. The Exchanges gather operators from state Attorney Generals' Offices throughout Mexico to explore the importance of working as a team to prepare and prosecute a criminal case, from investigation through oral trial. Experienced US attorneys and investigators lead participants through a highly-practical, hands on series of lectures and exercises designed to quickly develop the skills necessary under the new system.
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From March 11 to 15, 2019, the CWAG Alliance Partnership held a live Interdisciplinary Exchange in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Interdisciplinary Exchange in Phoenix brought together 15 participants, including prosecutors, investigators and forensic technicians, from the Queretaro, Nuevo Leon, Baja California, Durango and Jalisco Attorneys Generals’ Offices. The lectures were streamed live, and are available online at the link below.
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Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford inaugurated the Interdisciplinary Exchange from Las Vegas.
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Also in March, 38 operators from the Yucatan Attorney General's Office participated in the Las Vegas lectures via videoconference, and practiced in-person exercises with instructors Linda Brown, Hugo Lopez and CWAG's Susan Lustig.
Recently appointed Attorney General Wilbert Cetina Arjona kicked off the training in Merida.
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International Collaborations
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Carolina, Puerto Rico: International Association of Prosecutors Global Conference on Human Trafficking
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The CWAG Alliance Partnership coordinated with the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) to connect US and Mexican Attorneys General for this Mini-AG Exchange, at the "International Conference on Trafficking in Persons IAP 2019: Working in cooperation for the protection and restoration of victims," held on 17-18 January 2019, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The event was organized by the International Prosecutors’ Association (IAP) in collaboration with the National Attorneys General Research and Training Institute (NAGTRI).
This Conference was designed for international prosecutors to generate a global network among various experts in human trafficking, to provide a space for collaboration and mutual learning, and to formulate effective strategies in response to the rapid expansion of the crime of trafficking in persons at the global level. The Conference also was open to other government authorities who daily work in the fight against this crime. More than 100 participants from all over the world attended this important event.
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Carlos Zamarripa Aguirre, Attorney General of Guanajuato; Álvaro Días Huizar, FGR; Susan Lustig, CWAG; Jesús Figueroa Ortega, Attorney General of Aguascalientes; Ruth Medina, Attorney General of Durango; Yuri Berthaud Reyes, Chief Deputy Attorney General of Aguascalientes; Guillermina Cabrera Figueroa, Mexico State Attorney General’s Office.
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On Friday, February 22, 2019, CWAG and ABAROLI-México hosted a Job Fair for graduates of ABAROLI’s Litigation and Mediation Contests, in Guanajuato, GTO. The University of Guanajuato Claustro de Docentes Hall was the location for the event, which brought together representatives of the Guanajuato state Attorney General’s Office, Judicial Power, Public Defender’s Office, Human Rights Office and Public Security Secretariat. Program graduates gave a demonstration of their oral litigation skills, after which they had the opportunity to visit with representatives of the various state institutions, share their curricula vitae, and ask questions about the process for entry into civil service.
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ABAROLI Oral Trial Litigation program graduates speak with representatives of the Guanajuato Attorney General’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, and Public Security Secretariat.
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In January the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council presented a seminar on “Practical Tips about the Use of DNA Evidence in Criminal Trials: Analysis and Testimony.”
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In February, the CWAG Alliance Partnership broadcast “Common Mistakes in Trial Litigation” live from the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office.
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Alliance Partnership Instructor Lilia Garcia Named to San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame
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CWAG Alliance Partnership instructor Lilia Garcia was inducted into the San Diego County Women’s Hall of Fame in March. Currently a San Diego County Deputy District Attorney, Lilia Garcia, honored in the "BridgeBuilder" category, has advanced the causes of equality, justice, and empowerment on both sides of the border.
Currently a San Diego County Deputy District Attorney. Lilia Garcia has advanced the causes of equality, justice, and empowerment on both sides of the border. In addition to serving on numerous boards and committees in the United States aimed at advancing equality, she has played an active role in the transition of Mexico's legal system to oral advocacy. As a co-founder of "Latinas in the Law," she has helped empower a generation of Latina Law students.
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Mexico States Rule of Law Index 2018
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The Mexico States Rule of Law Index 2018 captures the experiences and perceptions of over 25,000 people in the 32 states of the country.
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Over the past decade, the World Justice Project® (WJP) has conducted interviews in over 100 countries to measure adherence to the rule of law from the citizen’s point of view, producing information regarding the experiences and perceptions of people on issues such as corruption, contact with authorities, perception of safety, victimization, fundamental rights, and access to justice. The WJP Rule of Law Index® has become a leading tool to identify institutional strengths and weaknesses in countries and to promote evidence-based decision making.
The Mexico States Rule of Law Index 2018 is the first sub-national index produced by the WJP and is one of the most complete measurements of institutional performance in the country. The Mexico States Rule of Law Index 2018 uses the same conceptual framework and methodology to measure adherence to the rule of law in each of Mexico’s 32 states that the WJP has used around the globe.
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"Mexico must become a country where law prevails and where everyone complies with it and respects it. Its people demand and long for this. We must not miss the opportunity to strengthen the rule of law and leave a better country for future generations. This transformation is complex, but possible, and we all must work to make it happen."
~Dr. Alejandro Ponce
Chief Research Officer, World Justice Project
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State Attorneys General spend significant time addressing child safety and providing educational resources to parents, educators, and caregivers. According to the CDC, one in five children in the United States is sexually abused before age 18. At Defend Innocence, work is being done every day to decrease these numbers. Similar to the approach of state attorneys general, the Defend Innocence team believes that the best way to prevent child sexual abuse is through empowering parents and caregivers to teach and protect their children. “Opening up community dialogue to raise awareness is a first step we can all take. Visit our website, defendinnocence.org, to explore resources for parents to learn how they can talk to their kids about staying safe. We also have materials specifically designed for you to teach your friends and family members what they can do to reduce the risk of sexual abuse. Help us share our message. All of our resources are available in English and Spanish.”
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Virtual Conference Library
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Visit the CWAG Alliance Partnership
library of recorded videoconferences, in Spanish, given by subject matter experts from CWAG Attorneys General's Office on topics relevant to Mexico's new oral accusatorial criminal justice system.
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CWAG Alliance Partnership Programs
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The CWAG Alliance Partnership facilitates collaboration between U.S. and Mexican state Attorneys General's Offices. Available services include:
- Contacts Database
- Comprehensive, sortable contact information for people involved with AP trainings, meetings and events
- Quick-Response Liaison
- Direct contacts within the U.S. and Mexican state Attorneys Generals' Offices for help on specific cases
- Case Consulting
- Help with case preparation, from investigation to presentation in court, by a U.S. criminal prosecutor experienced in oral trials
- Office Reviews/Efficiency Audits
- A team of experts observes and advises on processes and procedures, to help address a specific issue or give a general perspective
- Best Practices Consulting
- Experienced professionals share hard-earned knowledge about issues in administration of justice
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For all information and requests, please contact:
Susan Lustig, Administrative Director
Cell: +1 805 264 4277
Lauren Niehaus, Deputy Director
Cell: +1 303 827 9039
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This material was funded by a grant from the United States Department of State. The opinions, findings and conclusions stated herein are those of the author[s] and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.
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The CWAG Alliance Partnership promotes the Rule of Law in Mexico, offering a forum for strengthening relationships between U.S. and Mexican State Attorneys General. It supports implementation of an oral adversarial criminal justice system by offering opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between both countries.
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Karen White, Executive Director
Conference of Western Attorneys General Alliance Partnership
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