Criminal defence, white-collar crime, regulatory investigations and extradition matters for foreigners.
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Yes — in all EU countries you have the right to legal representation from the moment of arrest. You also have the right to an interpreter if you do not speak the local language.
Contact an English-speaking criminal defence lawyer immediately. Do not answer police questions without a lawyer present.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across France's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsFrench criminal procedure is governed by the Code de procédure pénale (CPP). Offences are classified into three categories: contraventions (police court), délits (tribunal correctionnel), and crimes (cour d'assises). Suspects have the right to silence from the first question in garde à vue (CPP art. 63-1).
| Category | Court | Max Prison | Max Fine | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contravention (Cl. 1–5) | Tribunal de police | None (Cl. 1–4); — | €38–1,500 | Speeding, minor disorder |
| Délit (misdemeanour) | Tribunal correctionnel | 10 years (general max) | €375,000 | Fraud, DUI, assault, theft, breach of trust |
| Crime (felony) | Cour d'assises | Réclusion criminelle — up to perpetuity | €750,000+ | Murder, rape, armed robbery |
| Stage | Avocat d'office (AJ) | Private Avocat (Paris) |
|---|---|---|
| Garde à vue assistance | Free (AJ = aide juridictionnelle) | €300–800 |
| Instruction phase (juge d'instruction) | State-covered (AJ) | €2,000–10,000 |
| Tribunal correctionnel hearing (délit) | State-covered (AJ) | €2,500–8,000 |
| Cour d'assises full trial (crime) | State-covered (AJ) | €10,000–40,000+ |
| Appel (second instance) | State-covered (AJ) | €3,000–15,000 |
Aide juridictionnelle (AJ): Free legal aid if monthly net income below €1,204 (2025 threshold, single person). Partial AJ between €1,204–€1,805. Apply at Bureau d'aide juridictionnelle (BAJ) at the court.
The comparution immédiate procedure (CPP art. 395) allows prosecution within 24–72 hours of arrest for délits carrying >2 years imprisonment. Accused is presented directly to the Tribunal correctionnel. Avocat has very limited time to prepare — retaining private counsel immediately on arrest is strongly advised. Refusal of immediate hearing allows a 3–6 week adjournment to prepare a full defence.
