Criminal Law · France
Find Trusted Criminal Law lawyers in France
Facing a criminal investigation or charge in France can be overwhelming. We match you with an experienced French avocat who understands the procedure and defends your rights at every stage.
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- Response within 24–48 hours
- Lawyers verified by French bar associations
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Why it matters
Criminal proceedings in France move quickly and require local expertise
Being questioned, placed in police custody (garde à vue) or summoned before a French criminal court is stressful. Criminal Law lawyers in France guide you through each step — from the first interview with the police to the hearing before a court. France has a codified system, and the judicial order handles criminal disputes alongside private-law matters. Because the procedure and the role of the avocat differ from those in common-law countries, you need a lawyer who is registered with a local bar and knows the French Code of Criminal Procedure. We match you with a specialised French criminal lawyer for free. After you describe your situation, we connect you with a lawyer who handles criminal law in France — usually within 24 to 48 hours, with no obligation to instruct.
How it works in France
Criminal law practice under the French judicial order
France maintains two parallel court systems. Criminal matters belong to the judicial order, whose final court is the Cour de cassation in Paris. Below, the cours d’appel re-examine cases in fact and law, and a lawyer is mandatory for a defendant in a cour d’assises (felony trial).
The two judicial orders
France has two separate court systems. Criminal disputes are heard within the judicial order, which also covers private-law matters; disputes involving public authorities belong to the administrative order. The Tribunal des conflits resolves conflicts of jurisdiction between them. This split determines which court will examine your case and which procedural rules apply.
Appeals and cassation
A person convicted or acquitted at first instance may appeal. One of the 36 cours d’appel re-examines the case both in fact and in law. The Cour de cassation in Paris, the highest court of the judicial order, reviews questions of law only and does not re-try the facts.
Mandatory representation in felony trials
In a cour d’assises, the court that tries felonies, a lawyer is mandatory for the accused. This means you cannot appear alone; an avocat must be present to ensure your defence. We match you with a criminal lawyer who can represent you in this court.
Who may practise as a criminal lawyer
A French avocat must hold a Master 2 degree in law and the CAPA certificate, obtained after an 18-month training course and entrance exam. The lawyer must take an oath, be registered on the roll of a local bar, and complete 20 hours of continuing education per year.
Costs and legal aid
Justice in France is in principle free: court acts themselves are free. Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed and set out in a convention d’honoraires. Legal aid (aide juridictionnelle) can cover all or part of the lawyer’s fees, depending on your income. For 2025, full legal aid is granted below an annual reference taxable income of €12,862 for a single person.
Data verified from official French sources (justice.gouv.fr, cnb.avocat.fr, justice.fr, Legifrance, code.travail.gouv.fr), accessed May 2026.
- The organisation of courts and tribunals in France
- Conditions of access to the legal profession
- Court fees and cost of proceedings
- Limitation periods (French Civil Code)
- Employment limitation periods
- Consumer debt limitation period
- Succession limitation period
- Rental lease limitation period
- Administrative appeal limitation period
- Tort limitation period
- Divorce limitation rule
Common challenges
When a criminal matter in France becomes urgent
You are not expected to know French criminal procedure. A specialised lawyer can step in immediately.
You are summoned or arrested
A criminal summons or police custody triggers immediate procedural steps. Without a French avocat, you may not understand your rights or the legal consequences of what you say.
The procedure is unfamiliar
French criminal procedure differs from common-law systems. Filing deadlines, evidence rules and the role of the judge can be confusing if you are not familiar with the Code of Criminal Procedure.
You risk serious penalties
Convictions can lead to imprisonment, fines or a criminal record. You need a lawyer who can contest the charges and protect your personal and professional future.
What you get
Why use our free lawyer matching service
We focus on speed, local knowledge and transparency.
Free, no-obligation matching
Tell us about your case and we will quickly connect you with an appropriate French criminal lawyer. You decide whether to instruct the lawyer; there is no charge for the service and no obligation.
Local bar-registered lawyers
We only match you with avocats registered with a French bar who hold the CAPA certificate, have taken the oath and complete 20 hours of annual continuing legal education.
Response within 24–48 hours
After you submit your request, you will usually hear from a suitable lawyer within one to two working days. This speed matters when a criminal procedure has already started.
Clear fee information
French lawyers’ fees are freely agreed and must be set out in a convention d’honoraires. Your matched lawyer will explain the fee structure before you commit, and legal aid may be available depending on your income.
Where we match
Find a lawyer anywhere in France
We match clients across Europe, including France and its neighbours. Choose your country to see specialised lawyer profiles.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about criminal law in France
Do I need a lawyer for a criminal case in France?
In a cour d’assises, the court that tries felonies, a lawyer is mandatory for the accused. In other criminal proceedings a lawyer is strongly recommended because French criminal procedure is codified and an avocat protects your rights from the first police interview.
How do I find Criminal Law lawyers in France?
You can use our free matching service. Describe your situation, and we will connect you with a French avocat who handles criminal law and is registered with a local bar. You will usually receive a response within 24 to 48 hours.
What does a French criminal lawyer cost?
Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed between lawyer and client and set out in a convention d’honoraires. There is no statutory tariff. Legal aid (aide juridictionnelle) may cover all or part of the costs, depending on your income and household composition.
Which court will hear my criminal case in France?
Criminal matters belong to the judicial order. Appeals are heard by one of the 36 cours d’appel, which re-examine the case in fact and in law. The Cour de cassation in Paris reviews questions of law only.
Can a lawyer from another EU country represent me in France?
A French avocat must hold a Master 2 degree in law, pass the CAPA exam after 18 months of training, take an oath and be registered with a local bar. EU/EEA nationality or equivalent is required, and the lawyer must have a clean criminal and disciplinary record.
What should I do if I am arrested or summoned in France?
Ask for a lawyer immediately and do not make a statement before speaking to one. You have the right to be assisted by an avocat during questioning, and early advice can affect the entire proceeding.
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Tell us about your situation. We will connect you with a verified French avocat who handles criminal law in France — free of charge and without obligation.