Introduction. Unveiling the Judiciary: An Inside Perspective

This book provides an account of the sociopolitical origins and professional profiles of one of the least-studied political elites in Mexican democracy: the judges of the federal judiciary. Drawing on data collected through a survey with federal judges in Mexico, it addresses topics such as judges’ family background, where they received their education, how they entered the judiciary, what types of ideas and legal conceptions they have developed, their beliefs regarding the political role of judges, as well as their opinions on rights and freedoms such as legal abortion, drug decriminalization, same-sex marriage, or the legalization of marijuana. Thus, a careful characterization of the judges’ profile is presented to infer their judicial behavior based on their ideas, values, and beliefs.