Paragraph 4: Discussion by the parties

The public prosecutor shall, in the name of the law, make such submissions, both written and oral, as he or she considers appropriate for the good of justice. In the event that written submissions are made, mention of them shall be made in the notes kept by the court clerk and the court shall be required to respond to them.

The accused, the other parties and their lawyers may file submissions. These submissions are endorsed by the president and the court clerk; the latter mentions this filing in the hearing notes. The court which is required to respond to pleadings thus duly filed must join to the merits the incidents and objections before it, and rule thereon in one and the same judgment, ruling first on the objection and then…

On completion of the investigation at the hearing, the civil party is heard in his application, the public prosecutor takes his closing arguments, the accused and, if applicable, the person civilly liable, present their defence. The civil party and the public prosecutor may reply. The accused or his lawyer will always have the last word.

Where the person claiming to have been injured has brought a civil action in the manner provided for in Article 420-1, the President shall read out the claim as soon as the hearing has been completed. The Public Prosecutor makes his submissions; the accused and, if applicable, the person civilly liable present their defence. If the court deems it necessary, it may order the civil party to appear. In this…

If the debates cannot be completed during the same hearing, the court shall, by judgment, fix the day on which they shall be continued. The parties and witnesses not heard, or those who have been invited to remain at the disposal of the court, shall be required to appear, without further summons, at the remand hearing.