Legal issues
Mexico's legal system is based on the Napoleonic Code
This is similar to the system in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal
It is different from the English Common Law system in the US, Canada, and the UK
There are some important systemic differences from what many Americans, Canadians, and Brits expect
There's a different presumption about innocence
It's more common to detain people until a final determination is made
Criminal defendants may need to prove innocence
People can be detained until they've paid potential damages, even before any final determination has been made
A driver involved in a car crash might be held until they pay potential damages, even before any court proceedings take place
Rules of criminal and civil procedure are very different in Mexico compared to, say, the US
Private prosecutions for crimes are possible
Civil rights differ from country to country
Mexico has very strong and clear civil rights
Most of the rights enumerated in Mexico's constitution apply to everyone irrespective of citizenship
Civil rights deriving from being a citizen of one country only apply within that country
As a visitor to Mexico, you have numerous and important civil rights, but not necessarily the same ones you might expect at home
You're not entitled to insist on any rights not granted to you in Mexico's constitution
In Mexico, only citizens may participate in political activity, including demonstrations or political petitions
You may not have the same rights when you become involved in the legal system as in your home country
Visitors may have to follow different rules from citizens
Just as everywhere else, just because something may be legal for a citizen doesn't mean it's necessarily legal for a visitor
Examples include:
Ownership of property in certain areas
The right to have weapons for self-defense
Participation in demonstrations, political petitions, or similar activities
Whether it's permissible to possess or use certain substances (e.g., cannabis)
What's legal in one country may not be in another
Mexico has very strict laws about weapons
Do not attempt to bring any firearms or ammunition unless you have an official permit to do so
Do not carry knives that could be seen as weapons (such as dive knives) around town
Do not bring personal defense weapons (chemical sprays, batons) with you to Mexico
Substances that you might be able to possess and use legally at home may be illegal in Mexico
It does not matter if you have a cannabis authorization at home - that doesn't apply in Mexico
Codeine is banned, even in combination products such as Robitussin AC® or Tylenol 3® and even if you have a prescription
Some substances that are over-the-counter in other countries are illegal in Mexico
Pseudoephedrine is banned, whether by itself or in combination with an antihistamine
Vicks VapoInhaler® or other things with levmetamfetamine is banned
There are no exceptions, even if you have a prescription from somewhere else
Tourists have been jailed for bringing in personal supplies of Sudafed®
Mexico has prescription and controlled substance laws similar to most other countries
Many medications don't require a prescription
You can probably get your blood pressure medication, erectile dysfunction medication, antidepressant, or insulin without a prescription
Antibiotics (all antibiotics except topical ones) require a prescription
Anabolic steroids require a prescription
Most medications considered controlled substances elsewhere are in Mexico as well, including
All opiate pain medication (which are nearly unobtainable even with a prescription). Codeine is banned even with a prescription.
All benzodiazepines
Sedative-hypnotics ("sleeping pills")
Barbiturates
If it's a controlled substance at home, it almost certainly is in Mexico
You should travel with any controlled medications in their original, labeled containers and carry a copy of prescriptions