Chapter I: Criminal court

The correctional court hears misdemeanours. Misdemeanours are offences punishable by law by imprisonment or a fine of at least €3,750. .

The criminal court of the place where the offence was committed, the place where the accused resides or the place where the accused was arrested or detained, even when this arrest or detention was carried out or is being carried out for another reason, shall have jurisdiction. For the trial of the offence of abandonment of family provided for by article 227-3 of the Criminal Code, the court of the…

Jurisdiction over an accused extends to all co-perpetrators and accomplices.

The court hearing the public action has jurisdiction to rule on any objections put forward by the accused in his defence, unless the law provides otherwise, or the accused relies on a right in rem in immovable property.

The criminal court has the power to declare the nullity of proceedings brought before it except where it is seised by a referral ordered by the examining magistrate or the investigating chamber. However, in the event that the parties have not been notified of the order or judgment that referred the matter to it under the conditions provided for, as the case may be, by the fourth paragraph of article…

In the cases provided for by articles 388-1 and 388-2, a plea based on a ground of nullity or on a clause of the insurance contract and seeking to exclude the insurer from the case must, on pain of foreclosure, be presented by the insurer before any defence on the merits. It is admissible only if it is of such a nature as to completely exonerate the insurer from its…

As regards civil interests, the court, after giving the parties notice to conclude on the merits, shall rule in one and the same judgment on the objection of inadmissibility and on the merits of the dispute.

The preliminary objection is presented before any defence on the merits. It is admissible only if it is of such a nature as to remove the character of an offence from the fact that serves as a basis for the prosecution. It is admitted only if it is based on facts or securities that provide a basis for the defendant’s claim. If the objection is admissible, the court sets a…

Where the court is seised of several proceedings concerning related facts, it may order that they be joined either of its own motion, or at the request of the public prosecutor, or at the request of one of the parties. .

The criminal court is seised of offences within its jurisdiction either by the voluntary appearance of the parties, or by summons, or by summons by procès-verbal, or by immediate appearance, or finally by referral ordered by the investigating court.