From there, the report goes to the building where the jail is, where they record the file and oficio numbers. This office is located off the road to San Nicolas(CONAJURE). This office is where the jail is.

Go to this office where the jail is to request copies of the report.

You have to pay for the report in Chapala (same office where you pay traffic tickets), they will give you a payment receipt that you will take to the office by the jail. They will tell you when to pick them up.

To followed your case you need the oficio and file number.

The investigators go to this office to pick up the papers and then they proceed to do their job, which is to contact the offending part and take him(her) in front of a judge to be advised of the charges and also to hear his version. The offender will declared himself guilty although in his written statement to the judge he can declared himself not at fault. He needs to do this if wants to continued with a trial and this is where I got stuck. It has to with the legality of the case. After that you have to keep up with the authorities as often as possible. Once they get tired of seeing your face, eventually they will want you out of the way. Be polite, VERY POLITE if you want to get any help. I am helping my neighbor with a physical attack from one of the residents in the fracc. I was a witness of the attack and it was me who called the police. If you have any corporal injuries go to the Cruz Roja to see a doctor and to get a report of the attack. Take dated pictures of the injuries for evidence and keep the receipt of the visit, prescriptions and other pertaining expenses related to the case. Anywhere you go bring the case records to locate your case. After all this is done, go to the judge offices ( next to the prison) often to find out about your case. Once the judge has the case he will call both parts for a trial.

Some Phones you may need: Investigators office Lirio #9 In Chapala PH. 765-2667
If you can,t get results there make an appointment with Lic. Jesus Venegas at the Ministeerio PH 765-2415. He is in charge of the investigators.

YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO IS FLUENT IN SPANISH AND ENGLISH FOR TRANSLATION. There are many legal terms that I, who is fluent in both languages, needs to asked for a meaning. In different countries, with the same language, certain terms and words have different meanings.
I hope this has been of help. Good Luck

Report 2 - 2009

My husband went to the Ministero this morning at 9:00 am (he had an appointment) and it only took him 1 hour.  They required 5 copies of FM2 and Passport.  On Monday he was asked to return to pick up one of their people and bring him back to the house to see the crime scene even though fence has already been repaired.  We will do this and anything else they ask of us.  The police have stopped by three times now to make sure there has been no further activity.  I think they are really trying.

Report 3 - 2009

"I went to Ministerio on Tuesday Aug 18th with all required documentation and a Mexican translator. This lady is a Mexican and knowledgeable about the process. She would be willing to act as translator for a fee. See Translators Vivianne if you are interested in her services. Note - we will forward the email to this person who will put you in contact with her

We waited about 1 hour and it took another hour to do the paper. We were told to return the next day or so in order that I could sign the document and 4 copies. I could not sign that day because the printers were not working.

I returned Friday, again with the translator and signed 5 copies of my statement front and back. It took about 1/2 hour. They told me to come back again to get my copy. The reason for the wait is because the documents have to be signed off by someone else. If I was claiming theft on my insurance policy I was told that one of the fellows would have to come back with me and look at where the safe was and the damaged doors. We do not have theft insurance unfortunately. Having this translator with me helped a lot because they do know her, but the process is archaic and I can see that on a busy day could be very frustrating. I was told it is better to go in the afternoon versus early morning because it is quite busy mornings. The office is small, crammed and hot. But the staff were professional, courteous and as fast as can be expected. "

Report 4  - 2009

Went to a file report in Chapala today regarding my break-in with an interrupter.  I picked them up at 11 am and got home at 3 pm.  When we arrived the place was full of people.  They ask that we come back in 30-45 minutes.  Apparently there had been an armed robbery and kidnapping of a store in the area.  They had one of the perpetrators in the office and was awaiting to take him to jail.  They didn't want us to be around in case he got upset and tried to hurt someone. There were 3 people involved in the robbery 2 men and a woman.  Seems the 2 men went into the store with a gun and demanded money - they said they didn't have any.  They injured one man and kidnapped another.   So we had coffee and went back.

Everyone was very nice - they just have a big workload.  Once paperwork was completed they told us to check pawn shops in the area because many have found their stolen items that way and all they took was jewelry.  I also need to go back next week and pick up the investigator and bring him to my house so that they can inspect and see how the intruders came in.

I explained to them that I didn't call the police because I thought nothing was stolen until the following day when I was putting everything back together.  Also, my Spanish is not good and would be difficult to communicate with them.  I also told them of rumors that police were trying to charge pesos to some trying to file a report.    

Report 5

I went to Chapala with a Mexican translator.  We arrived around 12:45 and were the only ones in the place except for three lawyers and one intern working there.  The lady in the back (lawyer) was not in much of a mood to help.  After about 15 minutes of doing nothing she directed us to the intern.  I gave my report and the process went very smoothly.  I took five copies of FM3 and passport but was told only 4 were required.  I was asked for photos (four copies) of the damaged door showing the point of entry.  I was also asked to describe each item stolen and give a value.  When filing a report, it would be helpful to take as much information of stolen and damaged items as possible, pictures, description and value.  The whole process took about an hour and the young girl who took the report could not have been more pleasant and efficient.

I asked our intern for a copy of the report.  She asked the lawyer in the back but she refused to give me a copy.  My interpreter asked why and the reply was the report is correct, you can read it if you want but you can't have a copy.  After other requests for the copy, the lawyer dismissed my interpreter and refused to acknowledge him any further.  I was told this is the way it is done in Mexico.  Needless to say I was not too happy with the attitude.

We left for lunch and while walking back by the office another lawyer came out and said we needed to provide pictures of my house including the kitchen, living room, front of the house and the bedroom.  I was told I either needed to provide the pictures or schedule the lawyer to come to my house.  I went home, took the pictures (four copies) and got them back to the office.

With the exception of the lady lawyer with the attitude and not getting a copy of the report, it all went better than expected.

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5. Reasons to file a denuncia

A major reason to report these crimes to the Ministerio Publico is that police funding is based on the number of reported crimes. No matter how many people know about it, or how many police officers respond to the call, the crime does not become official until filed with the correct authorities. Source:  Guad Reporter