five years of age. They are elected by the Legislatures of the States in the same manner, and with the same formalities, as the President, and cannot be removed, unless in cases specified by law. (Articles 125—136.
They take cognizance of all differences between two or more States of the Federation, or between individuals of different States, respecting grants of land; Government contracts; controversies between the inferior tribunals of the Federation, or between these and the tribunals of the States; all impeachments against the President, or Vice-President; the Secretaries of State, or Governors of States, or the Diplomatic Agents, and Consuls, of the Republic. They likewise decide all Admiralty cases: questions of prize money, or contraband, crimes committed upon the high seas; treason against the nation; and infractions of the Constitution, or general laws. (Articles 137 and 138.)
They may themselves be called to account by a tribunal constituted for the purpose, by the Chamber of Deputies, (Article 139.)
The tribunals of Departments and Districts are composed the first of a Judge and a Fiscal, the second of a Judge alone, from whom an appeal lies to the Supreme Tribunal, in all cases which exceed the value of five hundred dollars.
The Judges, in both cases, are named by the President from a list of three candidates submitted to him by the Supreme Tribunal. (Articles 140—144.)
