José Andreu García

José A. Andreu García (born september 18, 1937) is a Puerto Rican jurist who served as Chief Justice of Puerto Rico from 1992 to 2003. He was known for his moderate approach to Constitutional Law.

Career and Education

Andreu received his Bachelor's Degree in 1958 in Economics from the University of Puerto Rico. He later received his Law Degree in 1961 from the same university.

From 1963 to the mid 1980s he held various positions in the Justice Department of the island as District Judge and District Attorney. In 1990 Governor Rafael Hernández Colón appointed Andreu to fill a vacancy as Associate Justice in the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. Two years later he was elevated to the position of Chief Justice after the retirement of Chief Justice Víctor Pons.

Chief Justice Andreu had a brief dispute with Governor Pedro Rosselló in 1997 when Rosselló decided to have Associate Justice Baltasar Corrada del Río deliver the oath of office to him during his second inauguration. Andreu publicly said this break with tradition was unnecessary.

After eleven years at the helm of the Court, Andreu decided to resign in 2003 during the governorship of Sila Calderón. Calderón initially appointed Secretary of State Ferdinand Mercado to succeed Andreu but he was rejected by the Senate. Eventually, Andreu was replaced by his colleague Associate Justice Miriam Naveira, the first woman ever to fill that position.

After his retirement Andreu returned to private practice.

External links

* [http://www.tribunalpr.org/sistema/supremo/presidentes/andreu-new.htm Bio at Supreme Court Site]