offense which is not covered by any statute of limitations. Every judiciary body shall administer its own affairs, with each to be allocated an independent budget whose items are all discussed by the House of Representatives. After approving each budget, this is incorporated in the state budget as a single figure, and these bodies’ opinions are consulted on the draft laws governing their affairs. Judges are independent, cannot be dismissed, are subject to no other authority but the law, and are equal in rights and duties. The conditions and procedures for their appointment, secondment, delegation and retirement are regulated by the law, which also regulates their disciplinary accountability. They may not be fully or partly delegated except to bodies and to perform tasks that are identified by law, provided that all the foregoing maintains the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and judges and prevents conflicts of interest. Court sessions are public, unless, for reasons of public order or morality, the court deems them confidential. In all cases, the verdict is given in an open session. The judiciary adjudicates in all disputes and crimes except for matters over which another judicial body is competent. Only the judiciary may settle any disputes relating to its members’ affairs, and its affairs are managed by a higher council whose structure and mandate are defined by law, as detailed in articles 185 to 188 of the Constitution. Public Prosecution: The Public Prosecution service is an integral part of the judiciary. It is responsible for investigating, pressing charges and prosecuting all criminal cases, except those exempted by law. The law establishes the public prosecution’s other competencies. Public prosecution is carried out by a Prosecutor General who is selected by the Supreme Judicial Council from among the Deputies to the President of the Court of Cassation, the Presidents of the Court of Appeals or the Assistant Prosecutor Generals, by virtue of a presidential decree, serving for a period of four years, or for the period remaining until retirement age, whichever comes first, and only once during a judge’s career. The Public Prosecution service is the main constitutional means to protect the rights and freedoms of individuals and to protect public property against 26