fiscales

Fiscales are public prosecutors in several civil-law jurisdictions and in many Spanish-speaking countries. They are members of the public prosecutor's office (often called la Fiscalía or Ministerio Público) whose primary duty is to represent the state in criminal matters. The fiscales decide whether there is sufficient evidence to charge a suspect, supervise or direct police investigations, obtain warrants or other investigative orders, and present cases in court. They may also apply for preventive measures and ensure compliance with legal standards throughout the investigative process. In some jurisdictions, the office may handle areas such as administrative law or tax prosecutions as well.

The organization of the fiscal office varies by country. In many systems it operates as a career service within the judiciary or the justice ministry, with its head titled Prosecutor General or Attorney General. Appointment, tenure, and removal rules differ: some jurisdictions grant long-term or lifetime tenure subject to removal for just cause, while others use fixed terms or political appointment mechanisms. The fiscales typically act with a degree of independence intended to shield prosecutions from political interference, though they remain subject to disciplinary rules and to oversight by judicial authorities or legislature.

In practice, fiscales work closely with police, judges, and other legal institutions. Their independence is balanced by accountability mechanisms, budgetary controls, and professional ethics frameworks. The term underlines a profession central to criminal justice in jurisdictions that place the public prosecution of crimes within a dedicated, state-run office.