The organization of the urban magistrate courts: the justices of the peace in their daily endeavour, between material resources and administrative plots (Rosario, 1854-1872)

Abstract

The paper examines the performance of the urban magistrate courts of the city of Rosario between 1854 and 1872 and shows that these courts have played a key role in the political and institutional reorganization process that sought to bring the areas of justice to the population. In this regard, the analysis in notlimited to the regulatory and institutional orientations adopted by the state authorities, but also extends to the daily duties of these judges. This article studies the administrative plots in which these justices of the peace were involved, their communications with different social agents such as police chiefs, political leaders and first instance judges, the composition of the courts, such as lieutenants and other aid personnel, as well as the dynamic and the materiality which they have developed in the performance of their duties.