Immediate hearings for young demonstrators

Lawyer Gaëlane Chorowicz-Bodilis described the immediate hearings of very young adults at the Créteil Judicial Court following the October 17 demonstrations. These hearings took place in a full courtroom filled with families and close friends, many of whom were confused by the rapid legal process.

Expeditious justice and detention

The legal process is extremely fast-paced, with individuals often arrested and held in custody for a few days before being transferred to a prison in the basement of the court. This quick handling leaves little room for thorough investigations or proper legal preparation.

Inadequate legal support

Lawyers typically receive 4 or 5 files the same morning, and investigations are poorly conducted. There is no effort to collect key testimonies, DNA evidence, or phone location data. Defense lawyers have little time to prepare their clients or visit them in detention.

Pressure on defense lawyers

Defense lawyers face pressure to be ready for hearings that start at 1:30 p.m., but visiting rooms are often unavailable due to overcrowding. Individuals can request a delay to prepare their defense, but courts often respond by imposing provisional detention.

Judicial outcomes and criticism

After the October 17 demonstrations, more than 170 people have received fixed prison sentences following immediate hearing judgments. Many others have been placed in provisional detention for requesting a delay. The Prosecutor cited the context as a reason for requesting fixed sentences.

Controversial sentencing examples

One young man was sentenced to six months of fixed imprisonment with an electronic bracelet for picking up a backpack containing two new pants in Paris. He had no criminal record and was enrolled in school. Another person received the same sentence for a similar incident.

Lack of evidence and witness reliability

Evidence of guilt in these cases often includes items like gloves and balaclavas, along with questionable police accounts. One accused individual was identified by a single witness from the 12th floor of a building after midnight, among a group of 10 people.

Judicial resistance in Paris

In Paris, some judges resisted prosecutors' requests for custody orders, with none being granted in one chamber. A 20-year-old accused of violence without tangible evidence will spend 12 months in Fresnes, despite negative tracing results.

Impact on demonstrators

Chorowicz-Bodilis emphasized that these hearings can crush wills, claims, and lives. She highlighted the importance of defending the right to demonstrate and the duty to support those who do so.