With the presence of the country's highest judicial and political authorities, Misiones took a historic step by launching the federal accusatorial system across the entire territory of the Federal Chamber of Appeals of Posadas. The event took place at the Convention Center of the Knowledge Park and marked the definitive replacement of the old inquisitorial system—where the judge investigated, accused, and sentenced—with a more transparent and participatory model.
What changes with the accusatorial system?
In the new scheme, the prosecutor investigates and accuses, the defense represents the defendant, and the judge resolves through oral and public hearings. Paper files are gone: everything is now digital. Hearings are oral, deadlines are shortened (cases cannot be stalled for more than 60 days), and pretrial detention becomes an exceptional measure, not the rule.
This change not only speeds up processes but also strengthens citizens' guarantees and brings justice closer to the people, who can attend hearings and understand how conflicts are resolved.
Investment and preparation
To make it all work, $103,776,700 was invested in infrastructure and equipment. 6 hearing rooms and offices of the Judicial Office were adapted in Posadas (3), Puerto Iguazú, Oberá, and Eldorado. The breakdown: $71,186,700 for construction and $32,590,000 for furniture.
Additionally, the Misiones District Prosecutor's Office was created (Resolution PGN 59/26), with a decentralized structure to cover the entire territory.
Authorities present
The ceremony was attended by Horacio Rosatti (President of the Supreme Court and of the Council of the Judiciary), Juan Bautista Mahiques (Minister of Justice of the Nation), Diego Barroetaveña (President of the Federal Chamber of Criminal Cassation), Eduardo Casal (Interim Attorney General of the Nation), Julián Langevin (Public Defender of the Nation), and Governor Hugo Passalacqua.
Rosatti highlighted the work of the Ministry of Justice and the Senate in filling judicial vacancies, warning that “we could not continue working with 25-30% vacancies.” Passalacqua, for his part, emphasized that Misiones is in the first batch of provinces with the accusatorial system.
The new District Prosecutor's Office
The coordinator of the District Prosecutor's Office is Vivian Andrea Barbosa (General Prosecutor). She is accompanied by Silvina Flavia Gutiérrez (Interim Reviewing Prosecutor) and Pablo Ricardo Di Loreto (Interim Alternate Reviewer).
The Posadas Prosecutorial Unit will have jurisdiction over Capital, Candelaria, Apóstoles, and Concepción de la Sierra. The decentralized offices are:
- Oberá: Headed by Viviana Alejandra Vallejos.
- Eldorado: Headed by Liliam Edith Delgado.
- Puerto Iguazú: Provisional head Aníbal Fabián Martínez.
Barbosa explained that the main challenge is changing the mental structures of operators. “Security forces will no longer communicate with the judge, but with the MPF (Public Prosecutor's Office),” she clarified. Complaints can now be filed directly with the MPF, and transitional cases (from the mixed system) will be resolved by goals, with the largest number concentrated in Eldorado and Oberá.
Opportunity criteria will also be applied (for example, in cases of simple drug possession), and the prosecutor will have 72 hours to formalize detention before a judge.
Training for new operators
To support this transformation, prosecutor Andrea Vázquez, from Chubut, will train judicial officials in Misiones. The format includes 4 virtual meetings (from August to November) and an intensive 2-day in-person workshop in November. Topics include: preparatory criminal investigation, case theory, oral litigation, hearing management, and alternative resolutions.
Next steps in the country
National implementation continues: the next stage will be La Plata (September 21), then Buenos Aires City (February 15, 2027) and Córdoba (March 8). Still without a date: Tucumán, Paraná, San Martín, and the ordinary national justice of Buenos Aires City.
With this progress, Misiones positions itself at the forefront of judicial reform in Argentina, with a faster, more transparent, and more accessible justice system.