Chapter I: The investigating judge: court of first instance

During the investigation, the examining magistrate is competent to decide on the return of items placed in the hands of justice. He shall rule, by reasoned order, either on the application of the public prosecutor or, after receiving the latter’s opinion, ex officio or at the request of the person under investigation, the civil party or any other person claiming to have a right to the item. Where the request…

When, in the course of legal proceedings or the checks referred to in article L. 214-23 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code, one or more live animals have been seized or removed for any reason whatsoever, the public prosecutor at the judicial court in the place where the offence was committed or, when the case is referred to him or her, the investigating judge may place the animal in…

When, in the course of the investigation, it proves impossible to return movable property that has been placed in the hands of the law and whose retention is no longer necessary to establish the truth, either because the owner cannot be identified, or because the owner does not claim the item within one month of a formal notice sent to his or her home address, the investigating judge may order,…

The investigating judge or the judicial police officer assigned by him may, by any means, request any person, private or public establishment or body or public administration likely to hold documents relevant to the investigation, including, subject to Article 60-1-2, those originating from a computer system or processing of nominative data, to hand over these documents, in particular in digital form, without the obligation of professional secrecy being invoked against…

For the purposes of executing the letter rogatory, the judicial police officer may carry out the requisitions provided for in the first paragraph of Article 60-2. With the express authorisation of the investigating judge, the judicial police officer or, under the latter’s supervision, the judicial police agent may carry out the requisitions provided for in the second paragraph of Article 60-2. The organisations or persons concerned shall make the information…

For the purposes of executing the letter rogatory, the judicial police officer or, under the latter’s supervision, the judicial police agent or investigation assistant may, with the express authorisation of the investigating judge, make the requisitions provided for in Article 60-3. The second paragraph of the same Article 60-3 is applicable.