Yasmin Esquivel Mossa is a prominent Mexican jurist currently serving as a Justice on the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), Mexico’s highest court. Her career, spanning over two decades, has been marked by significant contributions to the legal field, but also embroiled in controversy, primarily related to allegations of plagiarism during her undergraduate studies.
Appointed to the SCJN in 2019 by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Esquivel’s nomination was met with both support and criticism. Supporters lauded her extensive experience in the judiciary, particularly her focus on family law and her commitment to upholding the Mexican Constitution. They pointed to her previous roles as a judge in the Superior Court of Justice of Mexico City and as President of the Labor Court, highlighting her expertise in labor and employment law.
However, her appointment became heavily scrutinized following accusations of plagiarizing her 1987 undergraduate thesis at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). In December 2022, news outlets published evidence suggesting substantial similarities between her thesis and one presented by another student in 1986. UNAM initiated an investigation, which confirmed the high degree of overlap. While the university acknowledged the plagiarism, it stated it lacked the legal authority to revoke Esquivel’s law degree due to statute of limitations.
The accusations sparked a national debate about academic integrity, the role of the Supreme Court, and the potential impact on the Court’s legitimacy. Critics demanded Esquivel’s resignation or impeachment, arguing that the plagiarism compromised her ethical standing and undermined the credibility of the SCJN. They asserted that a Justice accused of academic dishonesty could not fairly and impartially adjudicate cases involving intellectual property or uphold the rule of law.
Esquivel vehemently denied the plagiarism allegations, claiming that she was the original author of the thesis and that the other student had copied her work. She presented evidence and witnesses in her defense, though the veracity of her claims has been widely disputed. The controversy intensified divisions within the SCJN, with some justices openly expressing concerns about the reputational damage caused by the scandal.
Despite the controversy and mounting pressure, Esquivel has remained on the Supreme Court. The accusations have undoubtedly tarnished her reputation and cast a shadow over her tenure. The ongoing debate surrounding her case highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct within the judiciary. The Esquivel plagiarism case has become a significant event in Mexican legal history, raising fundamental questions about the integrity of higher education and the standards expected of those who serve on the nation’s highest court. The ramifications of the scandal continue to reverberate, impacting public trust in the judiciary and prompting calls for reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.