If the crime took place in a hotel, restaurant, or other establishment, the owner or manager of the establishment may be able to tell you where to go to file your report. Typically, you won’t be able to simply call the police and have them come to you. You’ll have to travel to the police office in person if you want to file a report.
Tell the officer as much specific factual detail as you know. Don’t make assumptions or tell them what you think happened — tell them only what you know. If you have any evidence of the crime, show it to them. For example, if your hotel room was robbed, you might show them pictures you took of the broken window or your belongings scattered inside the room. If you were robbed, tell them exactly what was stolen.
The officer may also ask you to sign the report. If you sign the report, get a copy of the report with your signature on it. If your ID or passport was stolen, the written report is the only thing that will allow you to get those replaced. [3] X Research source
Insist that the new information you provide is written up and get a copy of the report. You may need this report for other authorities or to file an insurance claim. For example, if you were robbed, you’ll need a list of everything that was stolen from you for your insurance claim. If you later discover other items missing, you’ll want to add those things to the police report.
If the suspect is not in custody, you can still attempt to pursue criminal charges. However, understand that it’s not likely the suspect will be arrested unless you have significant evidence of the crime, such as photos or videos.
Local officers can help you find the best office to use. If you’re a foreign national, contact your country’s nearest embassy or consulate for assistance.
The officer might ask you questions that seem accusatory or make you feel as though you are being accused of wrongdoing. Try not to take it personally. Just tell them what you know and what happened as clearly as possible. If you don’t speak Spanish very well, it’s a good idea to go with someone who does. There may not be a police officer available who speaks your native language. If you’re visiting from another country, talk to the people where you’re staying. Hotel employees are more likely to speak other languages and might be willing to help translate for you.
If the suspect goes to trial for the crime, your denuncia will be used as your testimony against the person. While you may be asked to give additional statements, your denuncia will be your primary statement. For this reason, it’s important to make sure everything in it is accurate. If you have any evidence of the crime, such as photos or videos, be prepared to hand these over to the officer. In some situations, this may mean that you have to hand over your smartphone or other device to be kept for evidentiary purposes.
During this proceeding, which will be conducted entirely in Spanish, you (or your attorney) can ask the suspect questions. The suspect may also question you directly.
Hiring a Mexican attorney is especially important if you don’t speak Spanish very well, or if you’re only planning on being in Mexico for a brief period of time. Without an attorney, the charges may be dropped after you leave the country.
If you aren’t proficient in Spanish, look for an attorney who also speaks your language, or who has translation services available.
For example, the US embassy in Mexico City has a list of attorneys who speak English and Spanish available at https://mx. usembassy. gov/legal-assistance/.
If the attorney has a federal Cedula, you can look up their license at http://www. buholegal. com/consultasep/. Many state licensing boards have online search engines as well. Unlike in many other countries, attorneys are not required to complete continuing education to maintain their law license. However, many of the best attorneys do. If the attorney is a member of a Colegio (private associations similar to a bar association) or has a specialty certification, they likely participate in continuing education.
If you are looking for an attorney to represent your interests because you are a victim of a crime, find out how often they’ve represented victims during criminal proceedings. You also want to know how many of those defendants have been prosecuted. Even though your attorney will not actually be prosecuting the crime, a large percentage of convictions shows that they represent victims well.
This is especially important if you’re a foreign national who will be leaving the country after a short period. Once you leave, your attorney will be solely responsible for handling your case. You want to make sure that you’re regularly informed of progress as well as the outcome of the trial. Keep in mind that trials in Mexico can take a long time and typically involve many hearings. If the defendant faces a sentence of more than 2 years, the judge legally has up to a year to reach their verdict.
