CFA and Religious Symbols

Sarah wishes to undertake vocational training at an apprenticeship training center (CFA). Her application was accepted, but when she arrives at the reception, she is approached by the director who informs her that she cannot join the training while wearing a headscarf. The director cites the internal regulations which state: ‘in application of the principle […]
Civil Party Constitution

What is a civil party constitution? Becoming a civil party allows you to become a party to a criminal trial in order to obtain compensation (damages) from the perpetrator of the acts. Example: an association that fights against discrimination can, under certain conditions, become a civil party to support one or several victims and request […]
Wedding Ceremony

A few days before my wedding celebration, a city hall employee informs me that it is mandatory to appear bareheaded during the ceremony. She specifies that it’s due to secularism: if I don’t remove my headscarf, the marriage will not be celebrated. Is this true? FALSE The principle of secularism, as well as the obligation […]
How to Prove I Am a Victim?

While commuting to work on public transport, Imane is confronted by an individual who hurls racial insults and threats at her. She remains shocked but is unsure how to react to this situation. How can she prove her victim status? To have one’s victim status legally recognized, it is necessary to prove the existence of […]
Student Cards and Religious Symbols

During the back-to-school period, many young women are forced to provide their educational institution’s administration with photos where they are ‘bare-headed’, under penalty of not being issued their student card. What does the law say? In accordance with freedom of conscience, displaying a religious symbol in higher education should not represent any obstacle, even in […]
Time Limits for Appealing a Judgment Rendered by a Criminal Court

When an initial decision has been rendered by a criminal court, it can, under certain conditions, be challenged. The case is then re-examined and re-judged by a court of appeal. The appeal procedure is thus based on the existence of different levels of jurisdiction. An appeal is possible when the decision specifies that it is […]
Time Limits for Appealing a Judgment Rendered by a Civil Court

When an initial decision has been rendered by a court, it can, under certain conditions, be challenged. The case is then re-examined and re-judged by an appellate court. The appeal procedure is thus based on the existence of different levels of jurisdiction. An appeal is possible when the decision specifies that it is rendered in […]
Online Hate

What does the law say? What is Hateful Content? Although freedom of expression is a precious fundamental freedom (Cons. const. 11 Oct. 1984, Press Companies, No. 84-181 DC), the legislature has come to punish abuses of the exercise of this freedom. These abuses are common on the Internet and are found in what is called […]
Police Custody

Sofiane, a high school student, was placed in police custody for not respecting the minute of silence organized by his school. His mother wonders what risks he faces, what will happen, and what his rights are. What is police custody? Police custody is a coercive measure decided by a judicial police officer, either on their […]
The Journey of a Complaint

The criminal procedure in France takes place in several stages: Filing of the complaint Judicial investigation Hearing (trial) The police investigation The filing of a simple complaint initiates an investigation entrusted to the judicial police, which must verify the existence of an offense. If the complaint has been filed at the police station or gendarmerie, […]