Because the process itself takes a long time, habeas petitioners tend to be convicted of serious crimes and to be serving long prison terms, with median times ranging from a minimum sentence of 24 years to a maximum of 30 years in State courts, and 16 to 24 years for petitioners in Federal courts. Most habeas petitioners were convicted by juries, as guilty pleas may reduce the number of issues over which a habeas petition may be filed. The majority of petitioners had court- appointed counsel, while smaller percentages were represented by public defenders and contract attorneys. While the overwhelming majority of petitioners were represented by counsel for their initial offense, most were not represented in filing the habeas corpus petitions. 1 table and 7 notes