The Director of the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), Walter Espinoza, is applying for the position of magistrate of the Third Chamber.
The Appointments Committee of the Legislative Assembly contemplates the name of the judicial hierarch as a candidate for the positions recently left by Carlos Chinchilla and Celso Gamboa.
Espinoza has been the head of the OIJ since 2015. Previously, he had worked in the Public Prosecutor’s Office in different important positions. For example, he was Deputy Prosecutor Coordinator of Organized Crime (2011-2015), Deputy Prosecutor against Drug Trafficking (1999-2011), Fiscal Coordinator (1994-1999) and Fiscal Agent (1990-1994).
The call for applicants will be open until September 11th to find the replacement for Doris Arias, who recently retired, as well Carlos Chinchilla, in the midst of questioning.
According to article 159 of the Political Constitution, the requirements to be a magistrate are:
1. Being a Costa Rican by birth, or by naturalization domiciled in the country not less than ten years after obtaining the respective letter. However, the President of the Supreme Court of Justice must be Costa Rican by birth;
2. Being a practicing citizen;
3. Being of the secular state;
4. Being over thirty-five years old;
5. Having a law degree, issued or legally recognized in Costa Rica, and have practiced the profession for at least ten years, except in the case of judicial officers with judicial practice of not less than five years.
In addition, a person with a kinship of up to the third degree with a member of the Supreme Court of Justice cannot be elected.