Criminal law

The firm practises criminal law in Paris, defending both those under investigation and the victims of criminal offences. It handles general criminal law, organized crime, business criminal law and juvenile criminal law, and assists clients at every stage of the proceedings: investigation, police custody, judicial inquiry, hearings before the criminal courts and sentence enforcement. Each matter calls for a precise analysis of the facts, the charges contemplated and the applicable rules of procedure.

Criminal defence: acting at every stage of the proceedings

In criminal matters, an effective defence means identifying the key issues from the very first procedural steps and adapting the strategy to the circumstances of the case.

Police custody and investigation

The firm assists people held in police custody or summoned in the course of a criminal investigation, in particular during interviews and confrontations. It ensures that the rights of the defence are respected and examines the conditions in which the investigative acts were carried out.

Judicial investigation

Where a judicial investigation is opened, the firm acts in particular in questioning, placements under formal investigation, requests for investigative measures and judicial supervision. Analysis of the file makes it possible to assess the evidence for and against and the scope for challenging procedural acts.

Immediate appearance and other criminal procedures

The firm defends people prosecuted before the criminal court, in particular under the immediate-appearance procedure, which can lead to a judgment within a very short time.

It also acts in guilty-plea procedures (CRPC), penal orders and penal composition, taking account of the rules specific to each and of the consequences they may have for the person concerned.

Hearings before the criminal courts

The firm prepares the defence and represents clients before the competent criminal courts, in particular the police court, the criminal court and, depending on the charge and the competent court, the assize court or the departmental criminal court.

Preparing for the hearing involves analysing the file, discussing the legal characterization of the facts, examining the evidence and presenting the arguments for the defence.

Sentence adjustment and enforcement

The firm also acts in sentence-enforcement matters, in particular to examine the scope for adjusting a sentence and to assist the persons concerned in the corresponding procedures.

Procedural nullity: reviewing the regularity of the acts

Criminal defence is not only about disputing the facts alleged. It also requires a rigorous review of the procedure to identify any irregularities that may be raised.

The firm examines, among other things, the conditions of police custody, the conduct of interviews, the investigative acts and respect for the rights of the defence.

Where an irregularity is found, its nature, legal consequences and the conditions in which it may be raised must be assessed. A procedural nullity is not automatic: it depends on the rules applicable to the act concerned and on the circumstances of the case.

This technical analysis is an important strand of the defence in complex criminal matters.

Business criminal law

The firm acts in business criminal law where directors, entrepreneurs, companies or others face an investigation or prosecution connected with their professional activity.

Depending on the facts and the matters actually handled, cases may concern allegations of fraud, breach of trust, misuse of company assets or money laundering, at the investigation, inquiry or trial stage.

The analysis addresses the alleged facts, the constituent elements of the offences contemplated, the evidence and the criminal liability that may be sought.

Organized crime and complex criminal matters

The firm acts in complex criminal proceedings, in particular where the alleged facts arise in a context of organized crime.

Such matters may raise specific questions concerning investigative techniques, the use of evidence, pre-trial detention and the regularity of procedural acts.

The defence involves an in-depth study of the file, an analysis of the charges and an examination of the legal arguments available at each stage.

Juvenile criminal law

The firm assists minors involved in criminal proceedings, and their families, in compliance with the specific rules governing juvenile criminal justice.

It acts in particular in proceedings before the children's judge and the juvenile court, depending on the nature of the case and the competent court.

The defence takes account of the minor's personal situation, the alleged facts, the file and the specific provisions of the Code of Juvenile Criminal Justice.

Defending victims of criminal offences

The firm also assists the victims of criminal offences in defending their interests.

Depending on the situation, this may involve filing a complaint, following the proceedings, joining as a civil party, intervening during the investigation and representation before the trial court.

Where the conditions are met, a victim may seek compensation for their loss within the criminal proceedings. The assessment of loss and the terms of compensation depend on the circumstances and the available supporting evidence.