The 200 proportional representation seats were created to help smaller parties gain access to the Chamber. The judiciary is divided into federal and state court systems, with federal courts having jurisdiction over most civil cases and those involving major felonies. Under the constitution, trial and sentencing must be completed within 12 months of arrest for crimes that would carry at least a 2-year sentence. Practice often does not meet this requirement. Trial is by judge, not jury, in most criminal cases.
Defendants have a right to counsel, and public defenders are available.
Other rights include defense against self-incrimination, the right to confront one's accusers, and the right to a public trial. Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president and approved by the Senate. Someone with a license to practice as lawyer is known as licenciado . The content and length covered by these courses and how they are mixed in each program may vary significantly from school to school and there are programs that can be label as very traditional and some others that may be considered as very liberal. One of the most conservative and traditional programs is the one of the Escuela Libre de Derecho in Mexico City.