On 2 October 2026, during widespread student protests, Gérald Darmanin, the Minister of Justice, signed a circular aimed at strengthening the judicial response to offenses linked to school building blockades. During an appearance on RTL, a French radio station, Darmanin claimed he had instructed prosecutors to "request the civil liability of parents," citing a new law that supposedly allows this. The circular, dated 2 October 2026, was sent to prosecutors general, prosecutors of the Republic, and regional directors of judicial protection for youth. It included two sections focusing on minors: their swift intake into judicial protection for youth, and the "responsibility" of those with parental authority. The second section specifically instructed prosecutors to inform victims of their rights so they could become civil parties and pursue claims against the civil liability of parents. The language in the circular is more precise than the minister's statement. Rather than directing prosecutors to "request" the civil liability of parents, the document asks them to inform victims of their rights. This distinction is important, as the prosecution does not have the authority to initiate a civil action. In criminal cases, the public prosecutor handles the criminal aspect, while the civil action—focused on compensating victims—must be initiated by those who have suffered damage directly caused by the offense. According to Article 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, only those personally affected by the damage can pursue civil liability. The prosecution, which has no personal stake, cannot ask the court to hold parents responsible for compensating victims. Instead, victims—such as regional authorities managing damaged schools—can become civil parties and file claims against the parents of minors. The circular accurately reflects the law, as Article 1242 of the Civil Code states that parents are jointly and severally liable for the damage caused by their minor children. However, this liability is typically covered by insurance. Article L.121-2 of the Insurance Code requires insurers to cover damages caused by those for whom the insured is civilly liable, regardless of the severity of the fault. The financial burden on parents is thus limited mainly to those without insurance or in specific legal exceptions. The juvenile criminal justice code already includes provisions for this insurance coverage. Article L.512-1-1 of the code requires those potentially held liable to provide their insurer's contact information and allows the insurer to be challenged in juvenile court. This means victims who become civil parties can seek compensation from the parents' insurers during the same trial. However, Article L.121-8 of the Insurance Code excludes coverage for damages caused by civil war, riots, or popular movements, leaving it unclear whether student protests fall into these categories. The circular from 2 October 2026 does not introduce new legal rules, as it only recalls existing mechanisms from 2023 and 2025. It encourages prosecutors to inform victims of their rights, emphasizing that the financial responsibility of parents is primarily a mechanism for compensating victims, not a form of punishment against families.