Whitefield defends people under investigation or prosecution in France and assists victims at every stage: police custody (garde à vue), voluntary interviews, immediate trials, judicial investigations, trials before the criminal court or the assize court, and appeals. Its lawyers, members of the Paris Bar, appear before the courts of Paris, the Île-de-France region and beyond, in French, English and Arabic. For foreign nationals arrested in France, this means direct communication with their lawyer, without an intermediary.

24/7 criminal defence line (police custody, court referral, immediate trial): +33 6 52 21 94 90
Office: +33 1 46 09 99 20 – +33 6 52 21 94 90

24/7 availability

Police custody, court referral and immediate trials happen without notice. The firm runs a 24/7 telephone line, including weekends and public holidays, on +33 6 52 21 94 90. A relative may call to appoint the lawyer, who can then attend the police station.

Police custody: what are your rights?

From the start of police custody, the person is informed of the length of the measure, the offence suspected and their rights, including the right to have a relative and their employer informed, to be examined by a doctor, to be assisted by a lawyer and to remain silent (Article 63-1 of the French Code of Criminal Procedure).

  • Choosing a lawyer: the person may ask for a lawyer of their choice from the outset. A relative who has been informed may also appoint a lawyer, subject to confirmation by the person in custody. If the chosen lawyer cannot attend within two hours, a duty lawyer is appointed (Article 63-3-1).
  • Private consultation: the consultation is confidential and lasts up to thirty minutes; it may be renewed if custody is extended (Article 63-4).
  • Assistance during interviews: if requested, the person may not be questioned on the facts without their lawyer, unless they expressly waive this right or a judge exceptionally authorises a delay (Article 63-4-2).

If a relative is in police custody, give the investigators the name of the chosen lawyer, who will then be contacted.

Voluntary interview (audition libre)

Before a voluntary interview, the suspect must be informed of the offence, of the right to leave at any time and of the right to remain silent. Where the offence is punishable by imprisonment, a lawyer may attend the interview (Article 61-1). Preparing the interview in advance helps anticipate the questions.

Immediate trial: can you refuse to be tried the same day?

Yes. If the defendant does not consent to being tried immediately, or if the case is not ready, the court adjourns the case to a hearing between four and ten weeks later, unless the defendant expressly waives the minimum period (Article 397-1). The court may then rule on detention until the hearing. The defence gathers, within a few hours, evidence of residence, employment and family ties to support release.

Guilty plea procedure (CRPC)

The prosecutor proposes a sentence to a person who admits the facts. A proposed prison sentence may not exceed three years or half of the maximum sentence. A lawyer is mandatory, and the person may ask for ten days to consider the proposal (Article 495-8).

Investigation and pre-trial detention

During a judicial investigation, the lawyer has access to the file, requests investigative steps, raises procedural defects and challenges restrictive measures. A person in pre-trial detention, or their lawyer, may apply for release at any time (Article 148).

Appeal

An appeal against a judgment of the criminal court must be lodged within ten days of its delivery; in some cases the period runs from service of the judgment (Article 498). Contact a lawyer as soon as the decision is delivered.

Victims

We also assist victims: filing a complaint, joining the proceedings as a civil party, claiming compensation and representation at trial. For economic and financial offences, see our white-collar crime page.

Fees and contact

Fees are set out in a written fee agreement before we act. Whitefield – 167 bis, avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 Paris. Phone: +33 1 46 09 99 20 – +33 6 52 21 94 90 – cabinet@white-field.com.