Definition
Alexandre de Moraes (born 26 February 1968) is a Brazilian jurist, academic, and public servant who has served as a Justice of the Supreme Federal Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal, STF) since 2017. He previously held the position of Minister of Justice and Public Security in the federal government of Brazil from 2016 to 2017.
Overview
Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Moraes obtained his undergraduate law degree (LL.B.) from the University of São Paulo (USP) in 1990. He pursued graduate studies in Spain, earning a Master of Laws (LL.M.) and a Doctor of Law (Ph.D.) from the University of Salamanca, where his dissertation focused on the theory of constitutional rights. Returning to Brazil, he pursued an academic career at USP, becoming a full professor of constitutional law.
Moraes entered public service as a member of the Federal Council of the Order of Attorneys of Brazil (OAB) and later served as Secretary of Public Security for the state of São Paulo (2005–2006). In May 2016, President Michel Temer appointed him Minister of Justice and Public Security, a post he held until February 2017. During his tenure, he oversaw the Federal Police and the Brazilian prison system, and advocated for stricter anti‑corruption measures.
In March 2017, Temer nominated Moraes to the Supreme Federal Court, and he was confirmed by the Senate. As a Justice, he has participated in landmark rulings concerning electoral law, freedom of expression, and investigations related to the “Operation Car Wash” (Lava Jato) corruption probe. His judicial style is characterized by a firm stance on law‑and‑order matters and a willingness to intervene in political disputes.
Etymology/Origin
- Alexandre: Portuguese form of the Greek name Alexandros, meaning “defender of men” (from alexo “to defend” and aner “man”).
- de Moraes: Portuguese surname derived from the toponymic “Moraes,” historically indicating origin from a locality named “Moraes” or “Mora”. The prefix “de” denotes “of” or “from” in Portuguese naming conventions.
Characteristics
- Professional background: Lawyer, constitutional law scholar, university professor, and federal judge.
- Academic contributions: Authored several books and articles on constitutional theory, civil liberties, and public security; notable works include “Direitos Fundamentais” and “Constitucionalismo e Democracia”.
- Judicial philosophy: Emphasizes the protection of constitutional order and public security; often adopts a restrictive interpretation of rights when they intersect with national security or public order concerns.
- Public visibility: Frequently appears in national media to discuss judicial decisions; his rulings on political parties, election financing, and anti‑corruption investigations have drawn both support and criticism.
- Language proficiency: Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English; has published in all three languages.
Related Topics
- Supreme Federal Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal)
- Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security
- Operation Car Wash (Operação Lava Jato)
- Brazilian constitutional law
- Michel Temer’s presidency
- Brazilian political parties and election law
All information presented is based on publicly available, verifiable sources as of the knowledge cutoff date (June 2024).