Criminal
A French-model system with an investigating judge and no jury
Criminal law and procedure follow the French tradition, with a Criminal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure. The public prosecutor directs prosecution, an investigating judge (juge d'instruction) inquires into serious offences, and the Criminal Court tries cases without a jury; the most serious crimes go to the Criminal Assize Court.
Key rules
- The public prosecutor (Procureur Général) directs prosecution and the police.
- An investigating judge conducts the inquiry and orders coercive measures in serious cases.
- Offences are classified as contraventions, délits and crimes, determining the competent court.
- There is no jury; professional judges decide, including in the Criminal Assize Court.
Governing law
- Criminal Code (Code pénal)French civil-law tradition
- Code of Criminal ProcedureAs amended
Penalties and consequences
- Fines and imprisonment graded by the classification of the offence
In practice
The investigating judge remains pivotal in serious cases, and appeals run through the Court of Appeal to the Court of Revision. Financial and money-laundering offences receive particular attention given the financial sector.