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Institutions

Department of Justice

The executive department that represents Puerto Rico’s government in legal matters, directs public prosecution, and advises the government on law. It argues cases before courts; it does not run the courts or decide their cases.

Arts. 3–4, 6, 43–45 ↗Art. V, secs. 1–2 ↗ · Sources consulted:

Department of Justice · Departamento de Justicia · Justicia

JusticiaState-levelActive

Spanish legal name: Departamento de Justicia. Spanish legal names are retained. Some English names are functional translations.

Official websiteThe mapPractice
Government level
State-level
Branch or grouping
Executive
Type
Department
Sources consulted
Oct 18, 2026

What it does

  • Represents the government, its agencies, and the People of Puerto Rico in civil, criminal, and other proceedings, subject to statutory exceptions. Its Civil Affairs Secretariat and Solicitor General’s Office have different roles in that representation.Arts. 4, 54–55, 60 ↗Arts. 54–55 ↗Art. 60 ↗ · Sources consulted:
  • Directs and supervises public prosecution through the Chief Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors investigate and pursue criminal cases; the appropriate court adjudicates the charges.Arts. 43–45, 72 ↗Art. 72 ↗Art. 5.001 ↗ · Sources consulted:
  • Issues legal opinions and advises the governor, Legislature, and other public bodies. A legal opinion from the Secretary of Justice and a court judgment come from different authorities.Arts. 6–10 ↗ · Sources consulted:
  • Publishes compensation and support services for victims and witnesses, with units handling claims, assistance coordination, and protection. Each service has its own procedure; contacting the department does not always mean filing a lawsuit.Services and programs ↗ · Sources consulted:

In everyday life

Someone seeking victim compensation or support can start with the official victims-and-witnesses directory. When the government participates in litigation, Justice lawyers present their side’s position; the court hears the parties and decides. An office helping process a claim and a court adjudicating a case perform different functions.Office of Compensation and Services ↗Art. 4 ↗Art. 5.001 ↗ · Sources consulted:

Safety & justice ↗

How to distinguish it from other institutions

Justice belongs to the executive branch. The Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of First Instance belong to the judicial branch. The department’s participation in a case does not make the court its subordinate.Art. IV, secs. 5–6 ↗Art. 2.001 ↗ · Sources consulted:

The Solicitor General’s Office is within Justice and specializes in appellate representation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office represents the United States, a different governmental authority.Arts. 59–60 ↗U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico ↗ · Sources consulted:

Official services and information

Confirm requirements, forms, and schedules on the linked official portal.

Where it fits

Map groupings support navigation; they do not themselves establish reporting authority.

Legal basis

Constitution art. IV, secs. 5–6, establishes the Justice Department and the Secretary’s appointment rule. Act 205-2004, as amended, organizes its responsibilities, offices, and prosecutors. Reference text: OGP compilation revised October 12, 2026.Arts. 3–4, 34, 43–62 ↗Art. IV, secs. 5–6 ↗ · Sources consulted:

The enabling reference is a reading aid. Consult applicable texts and amendments in official sources; directory cards can retain older references.

Leadership & appointments

Secretary of Justice

The Secretary of Justice heads the department and is appointed by the governor with Senate advice and consent. The institutional page identifies Lourdes L. Gómez Torres as Secretary. This review corroborates that published identification; its review date is not an appointment, confirmation, or swearing-in date.Art. 3 ↗Art. IV, sec. 5 ↗Message from the Secretary of Justice ↗ · Sources consulted:

Lourdes L. Gómez Torres

Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026 · Sources & method ↓

Appointment
Verification pending
Confirmation
Verification pending
Term end
Verification pending

Governance & composition

Departmental leadership rests with the Secretary, not a general corporate board. Its offices and auxiliary secretariats form an executive organization. The Confiscations Board has specific functions in this sphere; its existence does not make it the governing board of the whole Justice Department.Arts. 3, 34 ↗Art. 34 ↗Secretariats and offices ↗ · Sources consulted:

Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026

Sources & method

The consultation date is not the institution’s own update date.

  1. PR.gov — Departamento de Justicia ↗https://pr.gov/directorio-de-agencias/departamento-de-justicia-dj-5Sources consulted: Oct 17, 2026
  2. Ley 205-2004 — Departamento de Justicia (compilación OGP) ↗https://bvirtualogp.pr.gov/ogp/Bvirtual/LeyesOrganicas/Pages/205-2004.pdfSources consulted: Oct 18, 2026 · Document revised: Oct 12, 2026
  3. Constitución de Puerto Rico — Artículo V (Poder Judicial) ↗https://poderjudicial.pr/constitucion/articulo-v/Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026
  4. Ley 201-2003 — Ley de la Judicatura (compilación OGP) ↗https://bvirtualogp.pr.gov/ogp/Bvirtual/LeyesOrganicas/Pages/201-2003.pdfSources consulted: Oct 18, 2026 · Document revised: May 21, 2026
  5. Justicia — Compensación y servicios a víctimas y testigos ↗https://www.justicia.pr.gov/secretarias-y-oficinas/servicios-a-las-victimas-y-testigos-de-delitos/Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026
  6. Constitución de Puerto Rico — Artículo IV (Poder Ejecutivo) ↗https://poderjudicial.pr/constitucion/articulo-iv/Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026
  7. U.S. Department of Justice — U.S. Attorney’s Office for Puerto Rico ↗https://www.justice.gov/usao-prSources consulted: Oct 18, 2026
  8. Justicia — Secretaría y oficinas ↗https://www.justicia.pr.gov/secretarias-y-oficinas/Sources consulted: Oct 18, 2026
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