Public Ministry of Peru


The Public Ministry of Peru, also known as the Prosecutor's Office of Peru, is an autonomous entity of the Government of Peru that is responsible for enforcing law in Peru. Headed by the Prosecutor of the Nation, the Public Ministry oversees investigations surrounding private citizens, public interest and legislative interrogatives.

History

Following the creation of the Supreme Court of Peru in 1825, an entity similar to the Public Ministry served under the chief national court. The 1828 Constitution of Peru established a Supreme Court with seven justices and a prosecutor.
Jorge Basadre notes that in the National Convention of 1855, functions for a national prosecutor were more defined. By 1930, it was indicated in Article 2 of the Code of Procedure in Criminal Matters that public criminal prosecution was performed by a proseuctor's office that was overseen by the Ministry of Justice. In the 1979 Constitution of Peru, the Public Ministry of Peru was officially established as an independent body from the Ministry of Justice.

Organization

Attorney General of Peru

The Attorney General of Peru heads the Public Ministry. Individuals in the office must be over 45 years old and are appointed by the National Board of Justice.

Districts

The Public Ministry has 34 districts:
  1. Amazonas
  2. Áncash
  3. Apurímac
  4. Arequipa
  5. Ayacucho
  6. Cajamarca
  7. Callao
  8. Cañete
  9. Cuzco
  10. Huancavelica
  11. Huánuco
  12. Huaura
  13. Ica
  14. Junin
  15. La Libertad
  16. Lambayeque
  17. Lima
  18. Lima Este
  19. Lima Norte
  20. Lima Noroeste
  21. Lima-Sur
  22. Loreto
  23. Madre de Dios
  24. Moquegua
  25. Pasco
  26. Piura
  27. Puno
  28. San Martín
  29. Santa
  30. Sullana
  31. Tacna
  32. Tumbes
  33. Ucayali
  34. Selva Central