Judiciary

After a constitutional ruling annulled his judicial proceedings and restored his presumption of innocence, ex-judge Marco Vallecillo formally petitioned the Supreme Court of Justice to resume his duties in the judiciary, with his defense arguing no valid dismissal order exists in his personnel file.

The attorney for Marco Antonio Vallecillo, a former judge facing corruption charges, has asked the Supreme Court to clarify his employment status and allow his return to the judiciary, arguing he was never formally dismissed or suspended.

A court replaced pretrial detention with less restrictive measures for former judge Marco Antonio Vallecillo, accused of extortion, after the Constitutional Court found due-process violations; he must remain in Honduras, report regularly to court, and avoid contact with co-defendants.

The Supreme Court has ordered judges nationwide to notify the Treasury and affected agencies directly of final court orders authorizing embargoes against public institutions, ensuring payments comply with budget availability.

The criminal court in San Pedro Sula's judicial section now allows law students from the country's universities to observe court hearings for educational purposes, giving them hands-on exposure to procedure and judicial practice.

Congress President Tomás Zambrano has urged the Supreme Court to reconsider Memorandum 02-2026, which requires judges to record defendants' self-identified gender and chosen names in criminal proceedings, saying the judicial directive has sparked strong opposition from religious groups and pro-life advocates.