Stories of Bad and Good Judges

Martín Irurzun, a prominent federal judge in Argentina known for his rigorous approach to corruption cases, is nearing the end of his judicial career. He will reach the constitutional age limit of 75 next Saturday, potentially marking the departure of one of the country's most influential judges on the Federal Chamber.

Irurzun has built a reputation as a formidable opponent of political corruption, money laundering, and drug trafficking. He is particularly noted for his "Irurzun doctrine," which permits preventive detention for former officials accused of corruption if they are deemed to possess "residual power" that could obstruct investigations. This doctrine led to the imprisonment of high-profile figures such as Julio De Vido and Amado Boudou.

Despite his firm stance, Irurzun is described by colleagues as inflexible regarding government pressure, suggesting impartiality. He is currently pursuing a legal challenge, seeking a preliminary injunction to allow him to continue serving on the crucial Federal Chamber. Irurzun argues that the age limit clause, introduced by the 1994 Constituent Assembly, deviates from the mandate set by Congress and the "Pact of Olivos" agreement.