Puerto Rico Department of Justice

The Departamento de Justicia de Puerto Rico, also known as the Puerto Rico Department of Justice, serves as the executive branch agency tasked with administering justice across the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Its principal responsibilities encompass the prosecution of criminal offenses before territorial courts, the provision of legal counsel to the Governor, agencies, and municipalities, and the oversight of the territorial correctional system. In addition to prosecutorial duties, the department manages the Criminal Justice Information System (SIJC‑PR), which generates criminal background certificates for individuals and entities, a service that was temporarily halted after a cyber attack on May 1 2025. The agency also provides legal representation to the Commonwealth in civil and administrative litigation, defending territorial interests and enforcing compliance with local and federal laws. Through its various divisions, the department offers guidance to governmental entities on regulatory matters and helps ensure that public actions conform to statutory requirements. It coordinates with law‑enforcement partners to support investigations and share information pertinent to public safety initiatives. The department’s services are directed toward residents of Puerto Rico, governmental bodies, and private parties requiring official legal documentation or background verification.

The department’s headquarters is located in the United States of America, reflecting its territorial status within the U.S. federal system. While specific figures on staff size or budget are not provided in the source material, the agency’s role as the chief legal authority gives it a distinctive regulatory and enforcement position within the island’s justice sector. Notable attributes include its management of the SIJC‑PR platform, which centralizes criminal history data, and its collaboration with the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service (PRITS) and the Cyber Incident Evaluation Office (OEIC) to address information‑security incidents. Structurally, the Departamento de Justicia is a constituent part of the Puerto Rico government’s executive branch, reporting directly to the Governor. The agency emphasizes transparency, data protection, and service quality, especially after the 2025 cyber incident that prompted a review of its security protocols and reinforced its commitment to safeguarding citizens’ personal information.