Justicia mayor

A Justicia mayor could perform law enforcement and judicial functions within a town, city of region.

The 13th century Castillian-Leon Court started to use the term alguacil to designate the Alférez del rey deputy for judicial matters.

These district authorities had powers that included police, tax collection, justice, and war.

They were to preside over the ayuntamiento, carry out orders from the Provincial Government, and exercise judgment where the laws allowed it.

The Justicia mayor positions, however, did not last long because, upon the issuance of the Cédula Real (Royal Decree) of 6 June 1816, they were terminated and regular alcaldes were named instead.