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Article 63 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

I.-Only a judicial police officer may, ex officio or on the instructions of the public prosecutor, place a person in police custody. As soon as the measure begins, the judicial police officer informs the public prosecutor, by any means, of the person’s placement in police custody. He shall inform him of the reasons justifying, pursuant to Article 62-2, this placement and inform him of the classification of the facts that…

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Article 63-1 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

The person placed in police custody is immediately informed by a judicial police officer or, under the latter’s control, by a judicial police agent, in a language he understands, if necessary by means of the form provided for in the thirteenth paragraph: 1° Of his/her placement in police custody and the duration of the measure and any extension(s) to which it may be subject; 2° Of the presumed description, date…

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Article 63-2 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

I.-Any person placed in police custody may, at their request, have a person with whom they usually live or one of their direct relatives or one of their brothers or sisters informed by telephone of the measure taken against them. They may also notify their employer. Where the person in custody is of foreign nationality, he or she may have the consular authorities of his or her country contacted. Unless…

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Article 63-3 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

Any person held in police custody may, at their request, be examined by a doctor appointed by the public prosecutor or the judicial police officer. If custody is extended, the person may ask to be examined a second time. The doctor will decide whether the detainee is fit to remain in police custody and will make any useful observations. Except in the case of insurmountable circumstances, the investigators or, under…

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Article 63-3-1 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

From the outset of police custody, the person may ask to be assisted by a lawyer. If they are unable to appoint one or if the chosen lawyer cannot be contacted, they may request that one be appointed for them ex officio by the President of the Bar. The President of the Bar or the duty lawyer appointed ex officio by the President of the Bar shall be informed of…

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Article 63-4 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

The lawyer appointed under the conditions provided for in Article 63-3-1 may communicate with the person in police custody under conditions that guarantee the confidentiality of the interview. The duration of the interview may not exceed thirty minutes. When police custody is extended, the person may, at his or her request, meet again with a lawyer as soon as the extension begins, under the conditions and for the duration provided…

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Article 63-4-2 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

The person in police custody may request that the lawyer be present at his or her hearings and confrontations. In this case, the first hearing, unless it relates solely to identity details, may not begin without the presence of the chosen or court-appointed lawyer before the expiry of a period of two hours following the notice sent under the conditions provided for in article 63-3-1 of the request made by…

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Article 63-4-3 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure

The hearing or confrontation is conducted under the direction of the officer or agent of the judicial police who may at any time, in the event of difficulty, put an end to it and immediately notify the public prosecutor who, if necessary, informs the President of the Bar so that another lawyer can be appointed. At the end of each hearing or confrontation in which he or she is present,…

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