We examine variation in criminal defense work in a sample of arrest hearings in three states of Mexico (N = 186). Specifically, drawing on systematic observations, we map the explicit challenges voiced by counsel to oppose motions by prosecutors supporting the legality of detentions. We find that “instrumental” challenges are more likely when defendants are accompanied by friends/relatives, and in the presence of more proactive judges; moreover, these challenges increase the likelihood of a ruling of illegality, controlling for other factors. However, defense practices also rely on more “expressive” challenges and other strategies that weaken the adversarial model. Critically, we also find that judicial decisions are independently shaped by the level of engagement of prosecutors during hearings and the skin color of defendants—darker defendants have lower odds of having their arrests be declared illegal. We discuss these findings in the context of the literature on courtroom workgroups and pretrial justice.

我们在墨西哥三个州的逮捕听证会样本中检查了刑事辩护工作的变化 ( N = 186）。具体而言，根据系统观察，我们描绘了律师为反对检察官支持拘留合法性的动议而表达的明确挑战。我们发现，当被告有朋友/亲戚陪同并且有更积极主动的法官在场时，“工具性”挑战更有可能发生；此外，这些挑战增加了在控制其他因素的情况下裁定非法的可能性。然而，防御实践也依赖于更具“表现力”的挑战和其他削弱对抗模型的策略。至关重要的是，我们还发现，司法判决独立于听证会期间检察官的参与程度和被告的肤色——肤色较深的被告被宣布逮捕为非法的几率较低。