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French national Florence Cassez was jailed in Mexico for 60 years following convictions for kidnapping and other crimes.
The case is a source of friction between Mexico and France where many view Cassez as a victim of injustice.
Now a Mexican judge has given that view some credence.
Judge Arturo Zalvidar says Cassez wasn't offered consular assistance after her arrest
He says witness statements used to convict her weren't reliable.
And he says the fairness of her trial was damaged when a video recreation of police freeing kidnap victims and arresting her was aired on tv as the real thing.
The 37-year-old's lawyer is hailing the development as a chance for her release.
SOUNDBITE: Agustin Acosta, lawyer for Florence Cassez, saying (Spanish):
"I'll take it as it is, a decision that proposed the freedom of Florence Cassez, acquitting and releasing her, and also it represents a ray of hope at the end of a long dark tunnel that Florence Cassez has been through. Not just me but Cassez too."
The case is due for review by five Supreme Court judges within two weeks.
Judge Arturo Zalvidar's motion to free her needs the backing of at least two of his colleagues to succeed.
Some Mexican anti-crime activists who oppose Cassez's release say a message must be sent to kidnappers, and that France shouldn't meddle in Mexico's justice system.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
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