Criminal law

If you are suspected or accused

• Police custody (garde à vue) and voluntary interviews (audition libre): confidential consultation, presence during interviews, written observations.
• Immediate trial (comparution immédiate): preparing the defence at short notice, requesting an adjournment, guarantees of appearance.
• Criminal court (tribunal correctionnel) and police court (tribunal de police): review of the case file, oral submissions, adjustment of sentence.
• Judicial investigation (instruction): assistance during questioning, requests for investigative steps, appeals before the investigating chamber (chambre de l’instruction).

If you are a victim

• Complaint: drafting a precise, well-documented complaint, complaint with a civil party claim (plainte avec constitution de partie civile).
• Hearing: joining the proceedings as a civil party, assessing and arguing your losses.
• Compensation: enforcing the judgment, referral to the Crime Victims Compensation Commission (CIVI) where possible.

How the process works

1. First conversationYou set out the facts; I explain the procedure and what lies ahead.
2. Review of the case fileExamining the procedural documents as soon as I have access to them, identifying irregularities and arguments.
3. DefencePreparing your statements, written submissions, oral submissions at the hearing.
4. After the judgmentAppeal if necessary, adjustment of sentence or compensation.

Frequently asked questions