Audiencia

The Real Audiencia or simply Audiencia was a body of justice created in Castille by Henri II of Castille in 1369. Audiencia also indicated the geographical surface in which its judges were competent.

First Audiencia is established with Valladolid in 1371. In 1494 Isabelle Ire of Castille creates one second Audiencia with Grenade. Audiencia of Valladolid then ensures justice the north of the Tage and that of Grenade in the south of the river.

Charles Quint installs in 1528 Audiencia of Aragon to Saragossa. His/her son Philippe II creates Audiencias news in Spain and in the Colonies of the kingdom.

In 1511, first Audiencia is created in America, with Saint-Domingue. Under Charles Quint and Philippe II, Audiencias news are founded in America and with the Filipino : Audiencia of Mexico City in 1527, that of Panama in 1537, Lima and Santa Fe of Bogotá in 1543, Charcas (Bolivia) in 1559, of Quito (Ecuador) and Concepción (Chile) in 1563, and that of Manila in 1583. In 1609 that of Santiago of Chile was created while that of Buenos Aires date of 1661. The last are that of Caracas in 1786 and Cuzco and 1787.

Composition

Audiencias were directed by a president: the viceroy or the governor of the area, three or four oidores (Judge S), called mayors LED crimen when they were specialized in the criminal cases, a prosecutor and various employees subordinates called alguaciles . At the 18th century, a regent was named in each Audiencia, with for mission of managing the treasury.

Function

Audiencias were the only notable establishments returning justice. They also played a big role in the administration and the police force, in particular in America.

They judged the civilians and the criminals (not monks, soldiers and merchants).
They depended on the Conseil of the Indies for the businesses of more than 6.000 gold pesos.
They had recourse to the force , i.e. they could break the ecclesiastical judgments of judges in the event of proven incompetence of the latter.
They could be intended between them in order to amend laws.

In the event of vacancy of the governor or the viceroy, they assumed the capacity. The oldest oidores generally inherited the station. Audiencias could represent the viceroy with the Conseil of the Indies. They also governed the control of the Indians in the Réductions.

With the Peru, Audiencias were considered according to a very strict hierarchy. There was, initially, Audiencia known as " vice-royale" , in Lima, chaired by the viceroy. It was that which had the most prestige. Came then other Audiencias, subordinated to the viceroy as for the government and finances, but which enjoyed a total legal matter autonomy.

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