Article 97 Political Constitution of the United Mexican States

The Circuit Magistrates, as well as the District Judges, shall hold their position for nine years and may be reelected consecutively each time their term concludes. They may not be reassigned outside the judicial circuit in which they were elected, except when for exceptional cause the Judicial Discipline Tribunal so determines, and they may be removed in the cases and in accordance with the procedures established by the law.

To be elected Circuit Magistrate, as well as District Judge, it is required:

I.To have Mexican citizenship by birth, in full exercise of their civil and political rights;

II.To hold, on the day of publication of the call indicated in section I of article 96 of this Constitution, a bachelor's degree in law legally issued and to have obtained a general grade average of at least eight points or its equivalent and of nine points or equivalent in the subjects related to the position to which they are nominated in the bachelor's degree, specialty, master's or doctorate. In the case of Circuit Magistrate, they must also have professional practice of at least three years in a legal area related to their candidacy;

III.To enjoy good reputation and not to have been convicted of an intentional crime with a penalty depriving of liberty;

IV.To have resided in the country during the year prior to the day of publication of the call indicated in section I of article 96 of this Constitution, and

V.Not to have been the holder of a Secretariat of State, Attorney General of the Republic, senator or federal deputy, nor the holder of the executive power of any state (federal entity), during the year prior to the day of publication of the call indicated in section I of article 96 of this Constitution.

The entry, training and permanence of the personnel of the judicial career of the Federal Judiciary shall be subject to the regulation established in the applicable provisions.

Any person or authority may report to the Judicial Discipline Tribunal acts that could be the object of administrative or criminal responsibility committed by any public official of the Federal Judiciary, including ministers, magistrates and judges, so that it investigates and, where applicable, sanctions the reported conduct. The Judicial Discipline Tribunal shall conduct and process its proceedings promptly, completely, expeditiously and impartially, in accordance with the procedure established by the law.

The Supreme Court of Justice shall appoint and remove its secretaries and other officials and employees. The appointment and removal of the officials and employees of the Circuit Tribunals (Tribunales de Circuito) and of the District Courts (Juzgados de Distrito) shall be made in accordance with what the applicable provisions establish.

Every four years, the Plenary shall elect from among its members the President of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, who may not be reelected for the immediately following period.

Each Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice, upon entering to exercise their position, shall take the oath before the Senate, in the following form:

President: “Do you swear to perform loyally and patriotically the position of Minister of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation that has been conferred upon you and to keep and cause to be kept the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States and the laws that emanate from it, looking in all things to the good and prosperity of the Union?”

Minister: “I do swear”

President: “If you do not do so, may the Nation demand it of you”.

The Circuit Magistrates and the District Judges shall take the oath before the Senate of the Republic.