Who are private protection officers, commonly known as “bodyguards”, and above all how is their action legally regulated?
These are two questions that this article will try to answer quickly through a brief overview of the legal and regulatory provisions applicable to individuals who, on a professional basis, carry out activities aimed at protecting the physical integrity of people.
French criminal law is to be interpreted strictly. This principle, enshrined in Article 111-4 of the French Criminal Code, is a principle that permeates French criminal law. It follows that criminal law rules must be applied literally.
In a ruling issued on February 1, 2023, the Cour de Cassation (French Supreme Court) recalled this principle of strict interpretation of French criminal law in a case concerning the refusal of restitution of a seized property.
The use of drones, once reserved for the military, is now widespread.
In fact, drones are receiving a high level of interest from investigation services. Even more, they are now becoming indispensable security tools, as shown by the recent acquisition by the City of Toulouse of several drones to protect its inhabitants.
But can these drones be used to secure evidence in a criminal case?
The Criminal Chamber of the Cour de Cassation (French Supreme Court) ruled on this question on November 15, 2022.
The cell phone appears in today’s society as a second home. Everything is there, including our most secret files. But is it possible to refuse to give the key to this home?
In other words, can you refuse to give the access code of your smartphone?
In a ruling issued on November 7, 2022, The Cour de Cassation (French Supreme Court) seems a priori to say that the answer is no.
In today’s time when some politicians are tempted to “use the coffin of a 12-year-old girl as a stepping stone” to promote their ideas and a deadly hatred, when others buy the domain name corresponding to the first name of the little victim of a heinous murder, when investigations for breach of the secrecy of pre-trial investigations are launched following the interview of a police officer giving details on this horrible news item, it appears essential to recall the importance – beyond the respect normally due to the victim – of a core value of our rule of law: The secrecy of pre-trial investigations and inquiries.
In a decision handed down on June 22, 2022, the Cour de Cassation (French Supreme Court) overturned a judgment of the Rouen Investigation Chamber and held that an investigating judge who has indicted an individual who subsequently files an application for release from pre-trial detention may not act as liberty and custody judge in this same case.
Strategic Lawyering