The downfall of justice: A look at France's judicial system

The downfall of justice: A look at France's judicial system

In the past few decades, the perception of the judiciary in France has changed significantly. In the past, the judiciary was considered a respected and well -ordered institution. However, since the 1970s, especially after François Mitterrand took office, it has been increasingly perceived as inefficient and failure. The decline of the judiciary is often connected to the "Harangue" of the judge Oswald Baudot, which heralded the beginning of the end of a just and reliable case junction more than 40 years ago.

The meritorious institution that once formed the backbone of French society seems more and more like a stranded steamer. Various factors, including political decisions and social developments, have contributed to this situation. The discussion about the death penalty, which Mitterrand advocated in his previous years as a minister of justice without hesitation, is representative of the contradiction between previous beliefs and the current reality. Between 1956 and 1957, Mitterrand had an exactly 222 terrorist of the FLN as a guard of the Sceaux, a fact that many see as incompatible with his later attitude to the abolition of the death penalty.

The current reality of the judiciary

In the current debate about the French judiciary, the focus is not only on old decisions, but also the ever increasing list of crimes and aggression. Shocking statistics state that around 120 attacks are carried out with a blade in France every day. An alarming trend that raises far -reaching questions about the safety and efficiency of the legal system. This number illustrates the challenges that the judiciary and law enforcement authorities are facing.

In addition, the trust of many citizens is shaken into the judiciary. The perception of laxness and inability to punish the most dangerous criminals tun in dissatisfaction. Again and again there are reports on aggressive crime, and it is feared that the judiciary will not be able to protect victims sufficiently. The case of Yannick Alléno, whose son was killed by a drunk driver, impressively illustrates this problem. His passionate plea for strict laws to punish traffic states reflects the serious concerns that many citizens plague.

Trust in the judiciary is also shaken by reports of acquittals and unjustified release. One example is a homeless person who was in court due to anti -Semitic attacks and triggered his release. Such cases contribute to the conviction that the judiciary fails - not least in the eyes of the press and the public, which long for security and a clear legal situation.

The ridge between justice and failure

The current developments challenge the question of the functionality of the judicial system in France. There is a clear break between the idea of a strong and protective judiciary and the reality of the past decades. The reasons are diverse; From social changes to the upbringing of younger generations to a case law that is often perceived as too forgiven. The change of the values and norms seem to influence not only the perpetrators, but also the potential of the judiciary itself.

It remains to be seen where this stranded "paquebot" of the judiciary will move. The appeal to those responsible to reform the structures of the judiciary and regain the trust of the citizens becomes louder and more urgent. The challenges are enormous, and the way to restore the reputation of the judiciary could be long and stony.

Jacques Martinez, a long-time journalist, aptly describes the sentimental grief about the decline of the judiciary: "Ne M’appelez Plus Jamais 'France'." A provocative finding that summarizes the state of the French judiciary and is an urgent request to face the challenges and to initiate necessary changes.

The current judicial situation in France

In recent years, the French judicial system has attracted public attention, especially with regard to its reactions to violent crime and social challenges. Statistics show that violent crimes in France, especially after the 2012 terrorist attacks, have increased significantly. According to the French Ministry of the Interior, there were more than 1,100 terrorist attacks or attempts in 2022, which led to numerous deaths. Ensuring justice and security has proven to be a great challenge that strains the resources of the judiciary and the police enormously.

Another aspect is the overload of the dishes, which often leads to delays in processing cases. The national judicial authority reports 6.8% of the increase in pending procedures since 2021. This overload not only affects efficiency, but also the trust of the citizens in the ability of the system to ensure adequate justice.

criticism and reform approaches

The criticism of the French judicial system is not new and is becoming increasingly louder. Many lawyers and citizens demand extensive reforms to improve the efficiency and fairness of the system. A frequently expressed opinion states that judges are too unpredictable and that the system is unable to react appropriately to the challenges of our time in its current form. The French lawyer and former minister of the judiciary, Éric Dupond-Moretti, has repeatedly emphasized that a reform is necessary to find a balance between justice and public security.

Although the government has initiated reforms, many believe that they do not go far enough. An example is the discussion about the introduction of stricter laws against violent crimes and the improvement of victim protection. In 2023 there were suggestions to improve the support for victims of violence and to create specialized dishes that deal exclusively with the matters of victims of violence and sexual abuse

The system's challenges and problems illustrate that necessary measures need to restore trust in the judiciary. The government hopes that the government will take determined steps in the coming years to reform the judiciary and at the same time maintain civil rights. The upcoming elections could have a decisive influence on the direction of justice policy in France.